Newfoundland man with MS finishes Boston Marathon with friend's help
Canadians Keith Butler and John Grant trained as a team, with Butler pushing Grant in a wheelchair
Boston Marathon buddies and Newfoundlanders Keith Butler and John Grant travelled from St. John's to compete in the storied race on Monday, even though Grant has multiple sclerosis and uses a wheelchair.
In an interview with CBC Radio's As It Happens, Butler and Grant spoke about their friendship, how Grant's debilitating illness has prevented him from running but not from participating in the race, and how the pair nevertheless finished the marathon amid deafening cheers, with Butler pushing Grant in a specially designed wheelchair along the entire 42-kilometre route.
"I would never be able to do this without Keith," Grant told host Carol Off near the finish line, calling the race his "Everest."
"I think I'm truly the winner in this relationship," Butler added. "If John succeeds in his Everest, it's every bit mine as well."
Listen to the full audio interview by clicking the embedded audio player.