The Boston Marathon is known for its grueling course, intense competition, and passionate runners—but this year, it was also a stage for a quiet act of heroism that touched hearts around the world.
Pedro Arieta, 34, from Niterói, Brazil, was among the more than 30,000 runners taking on the iconic race on Monday. It was his first time competing in the legendary event, and he had his sights set on a personal goal: finishing in 2 hours and 40 minutes.
But just 200 meters from the finish line, something happened that made finishing time the last thing on his mind.
Pedro spotted another runner visibly distressed and crouched on the pavement ahead of him. Without hesitation, Pedro stopped to help.
“At the time, you don’t think about it, do you?” Pedro said afterward. “When I saw him fallen, I stopped. It seemed like a normal thing to do. There was no way we could just pass him by without doing anything.”
The moment was caught on camera and quickly went viral, shared across social media around the globe. In the video, Pedro can be seen assisting Sean to his feet and walking with him toward the finish line—prioritizing compassion over competition.
Photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images