Daniel Romanchuk Wins Boston Marathon Men's Wheelchair Division
BOSTON (CBS) - Daniel Romanchuk of Urbana, Illinois won the men's wheelchair division of the Boston Marathon Monday.
Romanchuk, who's just 20 years old, pulled ahead of two-time champion Masazumi Soejima around mile 18 and never looked back.
He finished in 1 hour, 21 minutes and 36 seconds.
He's the first American since 1993 to win the men's wheelchair race.
Romanchuk is a student at the University of Illinois and he had to get permission from his professors to miss class to be in the marathon Monday.
"Tired," he told WBZ-TV after his big win. "This has been an amazing series. Winning all three majors on American soil is just wonderful. There's really no way to describe it."
Romanchuk beat several previous Boston winners, including four-time defending champ Marcel Hug.
"Growing up watching them on the world stage, it's just incredible to even be able to push with them. They're two absolutely iconic racers," he said.
Watch WBZ-TV's David Wade talks to Romanchuk
