Runner collapses short of finish, crawls, then rolls, to a Boston qualifier
A determined runner completes a marathon by rolling the final metres of the race
She was metres, and tens of seconds, away from a Boston Marathon qualifying time when her legs gave out.
Determined to reach the finish line of the Tunnel Vision Marathon in North Bend, Wash., Devon Bieling began crawling in desperation to get her Boston qualifying time. The problem was that the finish line approach was gravel, which cut up her hands and knees. So, Bieling decided to roll her way to the finish line.
“It was the only thing I could do,” she said describing her race on Aug. 20.
The 30-year-old runner from Graniteville, S.C. managed to reach the finish line in 3:34:02, under the 3:35:00 Boston Marathon qualifying standard for her age group. A photo of Bieling’s finish was posted to Imgur on Sept. 18 and has been seen more than 250,000 times.
Video
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYJ-egAFc9s/
This marathon runner couldn't take another step — so she rolled to the finish line pic.twitter.com/QCSGJU6rRf
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) September 19, 2017
Philip King posted a video to his Facebook page of Bieling’s finish. Below is what he captioned the video.
“I witnessed this lady’s body collapse 12 yards short of the finish line. She tried to get backup, but couldn’t stand. After not being able to stand, she begin to crawl. After crawling three or four feet, the sharp gravel rocks cut her knees until the pain wouldn’t allow her to crawl. So after falling out flat again she begin to roll. She finished the whole 26.2 unassisted, even though she had to roll across the finish line. Always Keep Moving Forward No Matter What!!!”
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