Ralph Carmona, a 74-year-old runner from Maine, completed his first Boston Marathon on Monday, undeterred by an injured foot and multiple visits to medical tents.
Carmona’s finishing time was commendable at 4 hours, 14 minutes, and 42 seconds, despite being about ten minutes slower than his qualifying time of 4 hours and 4 minutes.
Notably, this performance was still fast enough for him to qualify for next year’s race in the 75-79 age category.
Carmona was one of approximately 210 Mainers who qualified for this year’s prestigious marathon and expressed his eagerness to participate again.
“I wouldn’t miss it. I mean, there’s nothing like it,” Carmona stated during a phone call on Thursday morning, reflecting on the unparalleled crowds that lined the racecourse.
Having been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease about a decade ago, Carmona runs not just for the love of the sport but as a means to raise awareness about the condition and the critical need for federal research funding.
Currently, approximately 7 million people across the U.S. live with Alzheimer’s, including about 29,000 individuals in Maine.
After his diagnosis, he participated in a clinical trial for Lequembi, a groundbreaking drug later approved by the FDA as the first medication proven to slow the disease’s progression.
This trial, managed by the National Institutes of Health, is part of a broader battle for funding in Alzheimer’s research, a cause particularly dear to Carmona, especially in light of budget cuts from previous administrations.
“My personal problem is also a public problem for the country. You cannot disconnect the two,” Carmona said, emphasizing the interconnected nature of personal health issues and public health management.
Motivated by his diagnosis, he sought to draw attention to the importance of research funding while raising money for the Alzheimer’s Association, and he has already collected $4,750, with aspirations to raise even more.
During the marathon, Carmona donned a bright yellow jersey with the slogan “END ALZ,” symbolizing his mission to combat Alzheimer’s disease.
He described finishing the marathon as a spiritual experience, powered by the energy of the cheering crowds and the camaraderie of fellow runners.
“I’m energized by people. I embrace them, and they elevate me,” he remarked, highlighting the collective spirit that kept him going, particularly when he began to feel the effects of fatigue halfway through the race.
A few weeks prior, Carmona developed tendinitis in his right foot, caused by his training regimen that included running up and down the demanding Munjoy Hill.
Though the pain initially was manageable, it quickly escalated, and around the 11-mile mark, he suffered a cramp in his calf, prompting him to visit a medical tent for relief.
“There were five different medical tents I visited along the way,” he noted, as he dealt with the physical demands of the race.
Upon crossing the finish line in Boston’s Copley Square, Carmona received a warm welcome from a group of volunteers from Maine who recognized him from media coverage.
They helped him connect with his wife, who then escorted him back to their hotel room, ensuring he returned “all in one piece.”
Despite finishing exhausted and with a limp, Carmona felt on top of the world after completing the race.
“When you get to the tail end, it narrows. And people’s hands are out, (they’re) screaming, going crazy,” he recounted.
“I would lift my hand up, and the volume would just elevate like three or four times.”
image source from：https://www.pressherald.com/2025/04/24/alzheimers-advocate-74-riding-high-after-boston-marathon/
