Latest news with #TheBostonMarathon
USA Today
01-05-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Boston Marathon runner makes miraculous journey from paralyzation to finishing the race
Boston Marathon runner makes miraculous journey from paralyzation to finishing the race Show Caption Hide Caption Runner makes miraculous recovery from hospital bed to Boston Marathon After battling a rare autoimmune disease that left her paralyzed, Alex Mayer defied the odds by running and finishing the 2025 Boston Marathon. For runner Alex Mayer, competing in the Boston Marathon was about more than just reaching the finish line. In January 2023, Alex woke up in a hospital bed with no idea how she got there. Confused and unable to move, with no short-term memory and cognitively impaired, Alex was soon diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). This rare autoimmune disease can attack the nervous system, making the victim unable to process information or perform basic tasks without support. "It was difficult to come to terms with the fact that not only could I not walk or move, but also my identity had been altered," Alex recalled. The recovery process was slow. Alex had to relearn basic skills. She also had to accept a new reality and face fresh challenges, including physical therapy, isolation, and a drastically altered college experience. "The hardest part of my recovery was trying to accept that this had happened," said Alex. "I was forever changed, and not everyone around me would be able to understand what that was like." Once she started physical therapy, she began setting new goals, like standing on one foot, closing her eyes without falling over, walking without a cane, and eventually running. Inspired by watching the Boston Marathon in 2024, she targeted running the marathon herself as her ultimate goal. Watch this runner's journey from being unable to walk to finishing The Boston Marathon below. Alex trained hard! "Every time I didn't want to run, I reminded myself that I am so lucky to be here and I remembered the girl in the hospital bed begging to be let out," she said. Her training paid off! With friends and family supporting her every step of the way, she achieved her goal of running the marathon and proudly crossed the finish line with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. "Yes, she ran a marathon," said Claire Rose, one of Alex's best friends. "But more importantly, the whole weekend felt like a celebration of how far she had come, both physically and mentally." Humankind is your go-to spot for good news! Click here to submit your uplifting, cute, or inspiring video moments for us to feature. Also, click here to subscribe to our newsletter, bringing our top stories of the week straight to your inbox.
Irish Daily Star
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Star
Netflix streaming 'one of the best films of 2016' but viewers have days left to catch it
Netflix viewers have only a short while remaining to catch a riveting crime drama inspired by The Boston Marathon bombing. The 2016 feature, Patriots Day, offers an intense look at the horrific act of terrorism and its harrowing aftermath. The alarming event unfolded in April 2013, casting a dark shadow over Boston's traditional marathon, celebrated on Patriots' Day, as two siblings executed a bomb attack, which left three dead and well over 500 injured. This traumatic episode prompted various cinematic interpretations, notably Netflix's own lauded 2023 documentary, American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing. But prior to the streaming giant dropping its version, famed filmmaker Peter Berg had already crafted a powerful portrayal with his 2016 movie, reports the Mirror US . Mark Wahlberg stars in the 2016 drama (Image: Publicity Picture) With a robust 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Patriots Day is available on Netflix until Tuesday, 29 April. The suspenseful narrative follows Sergeant Tommy Saunders, played by Mark Wahlberg, chasing down the culprits behind the attack. Joining Wahlberg are Emmy-winner John Goodman, The White Lotus actress Michelle Monaghan, and Academy Award-winner J. K Simmons. Though it didn't sweep major film accolades, this piece deeply resonated with audiences. They found the grave subject matter impactful, as evidenced by a heartfelt comment from a Rotten Tomatoes contributor who wrote: "Wow what a movie it had me in tears quite a few times. The strength and courage of the people of Boston was captured in this movie [...]." Viewers claim it is one of the best films of 2016 (Image: FilmMagic) Another reviewer shared their verdict, stating: "Most movies based off of true events drag out. This doesn't relent for a second. It's one of the best films of 2016 [...]" A third viewer simply stated: "One of the best movies I've ever seen in my life." On IMDb, viewers also praised the film, with one person sharing: "I wanna start by saying I didn't know much about the actual events, I just know I was saddened when I heard about it. "I was blown away [by the film]; it was phenomenally filmed and very intriguing. I'm quite surprised it wasn't up for major awards." Patriots Day is streaming now on Netflix.
Boston Globe
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
How to track a competitor in the Boston Marathon
Here are the best ways to track competitors over the 26.2-mile stretch. The Boston Athletic Association's racing app The BAA racing app will be your go-to tracker. You can find an athlete by entering a name, bib number, city, or team. Once you find your runner, hit the plus sign to save their profile and keep tabs on them during the race. Advertisement The app includes a live course map, real-time leaderboards, social media connectivity, runner selfies, and updated results. In addition, you will find a tally of how much money each athlete has raised for charity, along with a direct donation link. There is also a spectator guide and a portal to buy official gear. The BAA racing app is available for free download on the App Store and Google Play. The BAA website Once the race kicks off on Monday, the official BAA website will switch over to a live tracking format, offering an alternative to the app. You can access it On television ESPN2 will broadcast the marathon from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday. WCVB Ch. 5 returns its local coverage from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Advertisement On social media The Boston Marathon's social media accounts — @BostonMarathon on Wearable technology If you're tracking an athlete in person, mapping out your viewing spots ahead of time can make a big difference — especially near landmarks like the Wellesley Scream Tunnel, Heartbreak Hill or the finish line. If available, using GPS from your runner's smartwatch or fitness app can help you stay up to date, especially at these crowded spots. Using the MBTA for transportation is recommended due to limited parking and street closures. Watch your finish WCVB, which is broadcasting the race, has a finish-line camera. Max Schwartzberg can be reached at
