Boston Marathon News: Tatyana McFadden Takes Home Fourth Straight Victory
In one of the most inspiring stories of victory in this year's Boston Marathon, Tatyana McFadden swept the women's wheelchair division, taking home her fourth straight win in the event.
According to People, the wheelchair sensation was initially behind five-time champ Wakako Tsuchida as the two battled it out on the first nine miles. By the time they reached the hilly portions of the course, McFadden was able to get past Tsuchida, making it to the finish line and crushing her previous record by about a minute.
McFadden's fourth Boston Marathon win became even more special this year as she ran in memory of Martin Richard, the youngest victim of the 2013 bombings that sent shock waves around the globe.
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According to The Boston Herald, the athlete sported a yellow jersey with the words MR8, representing her support for the Martin Richard Foundation. The outlet also reports that after she secured her victory, McFadden proceeded to join Richard's family and even high-fived the victim's father, Bill Richard.
The 26-year-old sports personality called the experience "very special" as seeing the Richard family waiting for her at the finish line reminded her of the very reason that she was part of the 2016 race.
After winning, she posed for pictures with the Richard family and spent time talking to reporters. She told WBZ-TV (CBS Local), "When I was feeling exhausted I just needed to remember why I was running and for the reason I was. That kind of brought the energy back and the focus back. They're [Richard family] such an incredible family. I ran for them today and for the City of Boston."
Growing up in the Russian orphanage where she spent the first six years of her life wasn't easy as McFadden was born with spina bifida, a condition wherein the spine fails to develop properly in an embryo.
Despite pulling herself across the floor during her childhood, she was adopted by American women who gave her a better outlook in life. Her adoptive parents helped bring back the young girl's physical and mental strength. Today McFadden is a record-holder and champion not only in Boston but also in London, New York, and Chicago.
