Achilles Athletes Sweep Men’s Handcycle Division at Boston Marathon
Nearly 100 Achilles athletes gave it their all in the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2024. Congratulations to the military veterans of the Achilles Freedom Team, who swept the men’s handcycling division:
Zach Stinson, first place, men’s handcycle division. This is Zach’s third time winning his division in the race.
John Masson, second place, men’s handcycle division
Dustin Baker, third place, men’s handcycle division
Boston Marathon day was full of impressive feats. Team Achilles charity runner, Katie Miller, was among those who earned their sixth Abbott World Marathon Majors star on the other side of the finish line while also celebrating her birthday.
Team Achilles raised over $60,000 to help support athletes with disabilities. Thomas Panek, the president and CEO of Guiding Eyes for the Blind, one of the world's leading canine development and training centers, took on the race alongside his guide in support of Achilles.
“In running the 2024 Boston Marathon, we are not only racing against the clock but also racing towards a future where every athlete can get to the start line,” Thomas said.
After having such a great experience guiding in the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon, Nev Schulman, host of MTV's ‘Catfish,’ ran as a guide again with Achilles NYC Director Francesco Magisano.
Though Achilles Boston guide Marie-Pierre “MP” Delisle completed the race with Jason Breslin in a four hour finish, she returned to the course later in the afternoon to boost fellow Achilles Boston athletes like John Young for the final few miles.
“That's my teammate,” MP said. “I wasn’t going to leave him alone out there!”
Achilles athletes enjoyed a team dinner and a Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park before race day. Military veterans of the Achilles Freedom Team were honored on the field for their service in a special pre-game ceremony. At the Bank of America Boston Marathon Expo, Achilles Boston Chapter Lead, Joe LeMar, moderated a panel featuring elite para athletes Liz Willis, Marko Cheseto, Thomas Cantara and Kelly Bruno, who finished first in her division and set a new 25 minute course record. Kelly recently joined Achilles Connecticut.
Group photo of Erin Spaulding, Chapter Lead of Achilles Connecticut, Jack Fleming, President and CEO of the Boston Athletic Association, Elite Para Athlete Kelly Bruno, and Joe LeMar, Chapter Lead of Achilles Boston.
Thank you to our sponsors Cigna and the General Motors Military Appreciation Program and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and the Boston Police Department for their incredible support of our athletes to make race weekend special.
