Josh Holley makes his way through Sunday’s Chicago Marathon.
Submitted photo
Eleven months ago, Josh Holley set what is believed to be a world record for Special Olympics athletes at the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon.
Saturday morning, Holley bettered that mark, which is still believed to be the record, when he ran the Chicago Marathon in 2 hours, 53 minutes, 16 seconds.
“I honestly believe it’s the world record,” Holley said. “I’ve been wanting to break my record for a very long time, and I did it.”
Holley, who ran 2:53:55 at the Monumental Marathon last November, went out at a faster pace in Chicago. He went through the 10K mark in 40:04 and passed the halfway point (13.1 miles) at 1:25:17.
“The first half, I felt better than any half I’ve ever done,” Holley said. “We were going to go faster than 2:53:16, but the last three miles really killed me.”
Josh Holley, second from right, is joined by his coach Andy Hunnicutt, left, and support runners Nate Sink (second from left), Malachi Henry (center) and Kasey Coleman (right).
Submitted photo
Kasey Coleman ran the first half of the marathon with Holley, and Malachi Henry acccompanied him for the second half. Nate Sink of Upper Arlington, Ohio, who was a support runner for Holley at last month’s Mill Race half marathon, ran with him the entire marathon.
Holley had to spend a couple hours in the medical tent after the race, getting IVs and getting treatment for a hip injury.
“Malachi went above and beyond, staying with Josh in the medical tent,” said Josh’s mother Deana Holley. “That’s heartwarming. Malachi has beeen a big influence on Josh, and that goes for Nate, and that goes for Kasey, too.”
Josh Holley, who is hoping to run all of the World Major Marathons, had been invited to run by Special Olympics Chicago. That organization raised about $370,000 from the event.
“Special Olympics Chicago and their hospitality was outstanding,” Deana Holley. “Firehouse restaurant rented the whole restaurant at the top. They went out of their way to make us feel at home.”
