Disabled Daniel Romanchuk, 20, makes history by becoming the first US man to win NYC Marathon

By Rodolfo Vieira

Nov 05, 2018

06:12 P.M.

Daniel Romanchuk became the first American man to win the TCS New York City Marathon at the young age of 20.

Romanchuk, from Maryland, was in pain and had trouble breathing throughout the race but he didn't give up and ended up doing the unthinkable on Sunday, November 4, 2018.

According to Team USA, Romanchuk went from being a young boy to the man to beat after his incredible performance in the Big Apple.

BORN TO WIN

Exhausted and still in shock after crossing the finish line, Romanchuk confessed that he never got into a race with a victory in mind; instead, he just aimed for a goal that he could control.

Romanchuk is not a stranger when it comes to competing; he made his Paralympic debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, and, since then, he placed third in the London marathon, in April, and took the gold in Chicago a few weeks ago.

“A lot of things have been going right and coming together in the last year. The coaching, the training… This is an amazing experience to win two major marathons in a row. It still hasn’t sunk in yet.”

Daniel Romanchuk, Team USA, November 4, 2018

A LOT OF HARD WORK

His New York City win was the most important so far, especially because he was able to beat the record set by the legendary Marcel Hug, from Switzerland, who was crowned New York's champion three times.

Aside from his strong will, Romanchukl's training was crucial to his success, particularly the one he did in the Maryland hills, where he challenged himself by racing uphill and in rocky terrains.

JUSTIN LEVENE'S STORY

Much like many Paralympic athletes around the world, his disability didn't stop him from becoming a champion. Unfortunately, disabled people are not always treated with the respect that they deserve.

Last year, Justin Levene, an international wheelchair athlete, was forced to drag himself through Luton Airport after his self-propelling wheelchair, custom made to reduce pressure sores, was left behind.

The airline staff offered to strap Levene to a regular wheelchair, but the athlete refused, arguing that it would be humiliating and he would be putting himself at risk of getting a pressure sore.