Matt Wetherbee and Kaitlyn Kiely: Boston Marathon heroes.Hotshot
Inspiring Irish American and her long-time boyfriend complete the Boston Marathon with the message that rehab is a marathon not a sprint.
Irish American Kaitlyn Kiely and her long-time boyfriend Matt Wetherbee, a quadriplegic, completed the Boston Marathon a week early on April 10.
The couple were determined to run the entire course a week in advance of the world-famous race, to accomplish one of their personal goals. Wetherbee, a keen athlete, was paralyzed two years ago when he fell head-first into a gym wall while playing basketball. The couple had hoped to compete in this year’s disabilities division, but they missed the deadline.
Kiely had run the Boston Marathon, from Hopkinton to Boston in 2017 but severe leg cramping had slowed her time. This year the couple partnered up with Hotshot, a company dedicated to helping athletes who suffer with muscle cramping. She not only completed the course but also raised awareness and funds for spinal cork injuries.
Wetherbee’s sister told WHDH “These two have just motivated all of us, just so many people, people they don’t even know to push themselves and not give up.”
Here they are crossing the line:
Kaitlyn Kiely just crossed the finish line with her boyfriend, Matt Wetherbee, a week before the #BostonMarathon. Their 26.2 mile journey tonight on @boston25. pic.twitter.com/GliMItusyK
— Adam Liberatore (@bostonTVguy) April 9, 2018
The couple’s run was sponsored by the Boston-based company, Hotshot, as part of their “Unfinishers” campaign. They also ran to raise money for Journey Forward in Canton, the facility where Wetherbee goes for rehab. The couple crossed the Finish Line at Copley Square, and were presented with a $25,000 check from HOTSHOT to Journey Forward during the post-race celebration.
Their amazing message is that rehab is a marathon, not a sprint.
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