Boston Marathon Facts

Ajay Haridasse collapsed 1,000 feet from the Boston Marathon finish line with severe cramps. Two strangers - Aaron Beggs of Northern Ireland and Robson De Oliveira of Brazil - stopped their own races, slid under his arms, and walked him across. The man they carried finished in 2:44:32. Beggs crossed 4 seconds later.

Rick Hoyt had cerebral palsy, unable to speak or move. Doctors said he belonged in an institution. His parents refused. At 12, engineers built him a computer. In 1977 he asked his father Dick to push him through a 5 mile race. That night he typed: Dad, when I'm running, it feels like I'm not handicapped. Dick kept pushing him for 1,000 more races. 32 Boston Marathons. Six Ironmans.