Story perspectives

Haridasse Carried Across Marathon; Oliveira Collapses, Video Goes Viral

4/23/2026

Summary

Robson Oliveira Carries

On April 20, 2026, Ajay Haridasse was carried across the Boston Marathon finish line by Robson Oliveira and Aaron Beggs.
They finished in under 2 hr 55 min, qualifying each for the 2027 Boston Marathon.
After crossing, Ajay Haridasse received physician care while Robson Oliveira collapsed and was placed in a wheelchair.
Spectator Pete Grasso filmed the moment and posted it online, drawing praise on social media.

Summary

Beggs Rescues Runner

Aaron Beggs, a 40-year-old maintenance worker from Bangor, County Down, stopped to aid a runner in the Boston Marathon and finished just under 2:45.
He entered with a personal best of 2:43.50 from the Dublin Marathon.
Club chair Jamie Stevenson said North Down Athletic Club was immensely proud, praising Beggs’s integrity, compassion and sportsmanship.
The rescue video has been viewed more than two million times on X and TikTok.

Summary

Medics Rescue

Boston Marathon medics joined a spontaneous Kenmore Square rescue, carrying an immobilized runner three-quarters of a mile to the finish.
Four volunteers—runner Meredith Rosenberg, two medics and another man—lifted and moved the injured participant, who then scooted herself across the line to record a finish.
Medics positioned near the finish enabled immediate aid, unlike the Ajay Haridasse case where a physician arrived only after the runner crossed the line.

History

Historical Context

The 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, carried out by brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on April 15, killed three and injured over 260. This tragedy prompted the Boston Athletic Association to enhance safety protocols, including improved medical support. The community's swift response during the 2026 marathon reflects the ongoing commitment to athlete safety and the lessons learned from past events.

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Robson Oliveira Carries

On April 20, 2026, Ajay Haridasse was carried across the Boston Marathon finish line by Robson Oliveira and Aaron Beggs.
They finished in under 2 hr 55 min, qualifying each for the 2027 Boston Marathon.
After crossing, Ajay Haridasse received physician care while Robson Oliveira collapsed and was placed in a wheelchair.
Spectator Pete Grasso filmed the moment and posted it online, drawing praise on social media.

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