A borough resident competed in the Boston Marathon earlier this week, adding
the race to her long line of sport triumphs.
Jacqui Kapinowski, a wheelchair athlete, finished fourth in the female wheelchair division, completing the marathon with a time of 2:57:54.
The marathon, which took place on Monday, has divisions for both men and women wheelchair athletes, allowing them to complete the 26.2 mile run alongside all of the other runners.
“It was the best weekend ever,” said Ms. Kapinowski. “The race was really fantastic.”
An avid athlete, Ms Kapinowski has been competing in wheelchair races for several years, with close to 100 medals under her belt.
Diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, a progressive neurological disorder, in 2001, Ms. Kapinowski, 45, depends largely on a wheelchair to move around.
This year’s Boston Marathon, according to Ms. Kapinowski, was an emotional experience, as she placed four spots higher than in last year’s race.
“I couldn’t believe it when I found out I came in fourth place,” she said. “I was so proud.”
Ms. Kapinowski, who has raced in Boston three times, said the first time she competed she completed the race with a walker.
A wheelchair racer from Japan, Wakako Tsuchida, came in first place with a time of 1:48:32.
The race did prove to hold some difficulty for the wheelchair athlete, after Ms. Kapinowski started to develop muscle spasms in her body right around the 23 mile mark of the race.
“The muscle spasms started so I was trying to push with only one hand,” she said.
Ms. Kapinowski did not give up though, saying she was urged on by the crowd of bystanders watching the race.
“The
crowd really brought me in … It was amazing.”
Ms. Kapinowski said part of this race’s difficulty was due to the lack of training and preparation because of her commitment to another athletic team.
This year, Ms. Kapinowski was part of the Team USA Wheelchair Curling Team, which took up most of her time throughout last and this year.
In February, the team competed in Switzerland in an international competition and brought home the bronze medal.
“It’s been a tough season from the lack of [wheelchair racing] training, but I can’t complain.
Along with competing in the Boston Marathon, Ms. Kapinowski gave back to the area by raising $3,000 for the Esplanade Association.
The organization is one that is devoted solely to working on the Esplanade, a three-mile stretch of parkland located along the Charles River in Boston. While the Esplanade supports many diverse uses, both passive and active, it is used by hundreds of runners every day, year round.
Ms. Kapinowski said she became a member of the organization through its founder, a personal friend, Geryl Oristaglio.
“Members of the organization were asked to raise $3,000 each, and then they were allowed to run in the race,” she said.
Whether she was raising money for the host city’s natural resources, or racing for her own self-fulfillment, Ms. Kapinowski said the marathon was a most memorable experience.
“It was such an honor … I am so glad I got to be a part of this,” she said.
Ms. Kapinowski will be travelling to Kentucky this week, where she will compete in another marathon, followed by another race in Colorado.