Eden Rainbow-Cooper makes history as first Boston Marathon champion from Great Britain
She raced without sponsors
Updated: 11:29 AM CDT Apr 15, 2024
Wheelchair racer Eden Rainbow-Cooper on Monday became the first athlete from Great Britain to win the Boston Marathon and she did it without a sponsor. Video above: Eden Rainbow-Cooper hugs friend after winning Boston MarathonAfter her emotional finish, the 22-year-old explained that she raised money for her racing chair from friends and family. “I’ve been so lucky to have so much support around me, but yeah, it’s a difficult sport and an expensive sport,” she said.Rainbow-Cooper also said her victory on Monday morning in her second Boston Marathon came as a surprise.”I just wanted to come here and finish the race and just have fun. So, first place, I can’t believe it,” she said. She finished the 26.2-mile course in 1:35:11, with an average pace of 3:38 per mile. “I know that first big hill is scary, so I just went for it. I know there’s no corners and as long as I could keep my line, I could go fast. I have no idea what speed I hit, I was too scared to look,” she said. “From there on out, it was just, I needed to stay in my rhythm and focus on what I’ve been doing in training and it worked.”Rainbow-Cooper was visibly emotional as she came to a stop in Copley Square, rolling into the arms of a close friend. Bells tolled as she celebrated the victory. As champion, Rainbow-Cooper wins a prize of $40,000, which was increased this year.
Wheelchair racer Eden Rainbow-Cooper on Monday became the first athlete from Great Britain to win the Boston Marathon and she did it without a sponsor.
Video above: Eden Rainbow-Cooper hugs friend after winning Boston Marathon
After her emotional finish, the 22-year-old explained that she raised money for her racing chair from friends and family.
“I’ve been so lucky to have so much support around me, but yeah, it’s a difficult sport and an expensive sport,” she said.
Rainbow-Cooper also said her victory on Monday morning in her second Boston Marathon came as a surprise.
“I just wanted to come here and finish the race and just have fun. So, first place, I can’t believe it,” she said.
She finished the 26.2-mile course in 1:35:11, with an average pace of 3:38 per mile.
“I know that first big hill is scary, so I just went for it. I know there’s no corners and as long as I could keep my line, I could go fast. I have no idea what speed I hit, I was too scared to look,” she said. “From there on out, it was just, I needed to stay in my rhythm and focus on what I’ve been doing in training and it worked.”
Rainbow-Cooper was visibly emotional as she came to a stop in Copley Square, rolling into the arms of a close friend. Bells tolled as she celebrated the victory.
As champion, Rainbow-Cooper wins a prize of $40,000, which was increased this year.
