Boston marathoner reflects on helping collapsed runner as video goes viral

The Northern Irish runner who helped carry a collapsed competitor over the finish line of the Boston marathon says the world needed a feel-good story “amid the vortex of negativity” as he reflected on what prompted him to help and why the video of the incident went viral on social media.

The 130th edition of the race on Monday saw defending champions John Korir and Sharon Lokedi complete a Kenyan sweep, with Korir setting a new course record while Lokedi missed her previous record by one second.

But another talking point from the race came from Aaron Beggs, of Northern Ireland, stopping to help exhausted runner Ajay Haridasse complete the race.

Videos filmed by bystanders from multiple angles show Boston native Haridasse, 21, collapse and attempt to stand repeatedly but buckle in exhaustion each time.

“I looked at my watch, I looked at him again, and my natural instinct was to just go and pick him up,” Beggs told Al Jazeera in an online interview.

Videos show Beggs extend both arms to Haridasse, who had collapsed near a race barrier, to pull him to his feet, with a visibly exhausted Haridasse struggling to stand. Brazilian runner Robson De Oliveira also came from behind to support Haridasse before the two men slid under his shoulders to help him cross the finish line.

“I think what I was telling myself in the previous two miles was why I went over and helped him, because it’s a journey,” Beggs said, adding his gratitude to De Oliveira for helping.

“For the three of us to continue our journey across the finish line like three strangers [from] three different countries – we’ll have a story for the rest of our lives,” he said.

Beggs emphasised the importance of a feel-good moment like this going viral “where every time we turn on the news it’s just negativity”.

“We all need just a nice story in our lives just to make us smile, bring a tear to our eyes with happiness – it’s nice to be nice.”