Pedro Freitas Arieta’s Act of Sportsmanship at the Boston Marathon an TJR interview

Scene on Boylston Street

On a brisk Patriots’ Day in Boston, thousands of spectators lined Boylston Street, their cheers echoing off the historic brownstones and shopfronts near the finish line. The 2025 Boston Marathon was living up to its legacy – an electric atmosphere of Marathon Monday fervor. As the clock ticked just past the 2:38 mark, Pedro Freitas Arieta, a 34-year-old runner from Brazil, came charging toward the final turn with his goal almost in hand. For a first-time Boston entrant from Niterói, Brazil, running alongside his wife, this moment was the culmination of months of training and a lifelong dream of a sub-2:40 finish. But just as the famed blue-and-yellow finish line arch came into sight, fate intervened on that last stretch of Boylston Street.

Only a few hundred feet from the finish, another runner’s legs gave out. Boston local Shawn Goodwin, 35, collapsed to his knees on the course ahead of Arieta, his body betraying him within yards of completing the 26.2-mile odyssey. In the blur of exertion and noise, many runners kept sprinting by, eyes fixed on the finish. Arieta, however, did not. In a split-second decision, he halted his own race – along with his hopes of a personal record – and turned back toward the fallen runner. The crowd’s roar shifted to a gasp of concern, then swelling applause, as it became clear what was happening: one exhausted marathoner stopping to lift up another.

What unfolded next was a scene that encapsulated the very spirit of Boston. Arieta knelt and wrapped his arms around Goodwin, who was dazed and struggling to stand. “At the time, you don’t think about it, do you?” Arieta would later reflect. “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.” In that instant, finishing times and personal glory fell away; helping a fellow human being became the only race that mattered.

The Viral Boylston Street Moment

 A spectator-captured video still of the 2025 Boston Marathon shows Pedro Arieta (in orange vest) stopping in the final meters to assist a collapsed Shawn Goodwin. In the first frame (left), Arieta reaches down as Goodwin struggles on one knee. In the next moment (right), Arieta has hoisted Goodwin up, wrapping an arm around him as they begin to walk toward the finish line. The Boylston Street crowd erupts in applause behind the barricades, and even race officials and Quincy Police officers on duty watch in admiration.

What exactly happened in those dramatic final moments quickly became clear as footage spread across social media. Around 200 meters from the finish line, Shawn Goodwin had succumbed to the sheer exhaustion of the race, unable to stand despite being so agonizingly close to his goal. Marathoners often refer to the last mile as a test of heart over body – and here was a vivid example: Goodwin’s body had given all it could. As other runners streamed past him on Boylston Street, many likely did not notice or were themselves too spent to react. But Arieta’s split-second choice to sacrifice his own finish time and aid a fallen comrade was a striking contrast to the all-out competition unfolding around them.

Eyewitness videos show Arieta literally lifting Goodwin off the ground and practically carrying him a few steps until Goodwin’s legs could move again. The pair then staggered forward together, every step a labor for the muscles but a triumph of the spirit. On the sidelines, the roar of the crowd grew with each yard they covered. Longtime Boston spectators, hardened by years of watching determined athletes, shouted encouragement and wiped away tears at this unexpected display of camaraderie. In one video that captured the scene, a voice can be heard exclaiming “God, I love Boston!” amidst the cheers. It was a raw and unscripted moment of human kindness, cutting through the intense, competitive atmosphere of a major marathon. By the time Arieta and Goodwin crossed the iconic finish line – under the historic Old John Hancock Tower clock – the audience was on its feet, giving a standing ovation for a finish unlike any other that day.

Experienced marathoners know that even a brief stop in the final minutes can mean the difference between reaching a coveted time goal or not. Arieta surely knew it, too. He had been on pace for roughly a 2:39 finishing time, and stopping to assist Goodwin meant relinquishing that dream mid-stride. In fact, the clock would show 2:41:29 when he finally finished – 1 minute 29 seconds over his target of 2:40. Those lost seconds could have been painful for a runner so close to his goal. Yet, as Arieta later reflected on Instagram, “The Boston Marathon surprised me in more ways than one” and “it was impossible to run past someone who needed help reaching their dream finish line and not help them complete the Boston Marathon.”boston.comyourtango.com In that powerful reflection, written the day after the race, Arieta revealed that the meaning of this finish far outweighed any time on the clock. He had discovered, in his words, that “sport is much more collective than we think,” emphasizing that thousands of supporters and fellow runners make the marathon a shared experience rather than a solo pursuit.

Medical volunteers rushed to assist Shawn Goodwin once he crossed the line, and fortunately, Goodwin was safe – suffering from exhaustion but no long-term harm. After a few minutes of rest and hydration in a wheelchair, he was responsive and extremely grateful. Arieta ensured Goodwin was in good hands with the medics before eventually reuniting with his own wife, Luíza, who finished a short while later. The two runners did not get to speak much at the finish due to the post-race medical protocols, but the seed of a unique bond had been planted on Boylston Street.

Q&A with Pedro Freitas Arieta

1. Could you walk us through that final stretch on Boylston Street? What were you thinking and feeling the instant you saw Shawn Goodwin fall, and what led you to make the split-second decision to stop and help him?Once you enter in Boylston St, the crowd is so intense, and it's just so emotional. You start to see the finish line and think it's over. For me it was still definitely not over lol.When I see Shawn at the ground, and didn't have time to think, I just stopped to put him back on his feet and run to the finish line. But, a few seconds later I realized it wasn't an easy mission.

2. You sacrificed a potential personal best to assist another runner. How do you look back on that decision now, and what did you learn about yourself and the spirit of competition from that choice?Now is easy to say I made the right decision. But, right after the race, when I couldn't even imagine what would happen after a few Instagram posts, I was so joyful of what Shawn and I did. The feeling of accomplishment you get when you know Jesus helped someone through your life is just undescribable.

3. Crossing the finish line after helping Shawn must have been emotional. How did you feel in those moments right after – both physically and emotionally – and how did people (spectators, other runners, family) react around you?Once Shawn stood up, the crowd cheered us in such an intense way, that is just something not to forget.

4. Have you been in touch with Shawn since the race? What has it been like connecting with him after everything?Yes, right the day after the race, I was able to find out who he was, and start a friendship. Amazing opportunity. He is such a nice guy.

5. Your act of sportsmanship went viral worldwide. Were you surprised by the reaction and support from the running community and media? How has this attention affected you personally?Before leaving Brasil, God spoke to me saying He was about to do some great things in my life and my family. At first, I thought it was about my work life. He also told me to keep my heart safe. Once the "fame" begun, I knew the glory wasn't mine. During the race, I prayed that Jesus would run with me, and my life would point out to Him. I think I understand a little about His plans, and I am trying to stick to it.

6. We'd love to hear about how you first got started in running. Was there someone who inspired you, or a particular moment that hooked you into distance running?I lived in Maryland when I was 14, and played soccer at high school. I used to be the last to finish our warm-up running sessions. After the soccer season, our soccer coach asked us to keep exercising, and go to the track and field team. After my first track and field race, I never went back to playing soccer.My mom, as well, was such an inspiration. She started running when we were in Maryland, and I was able to see her race in marathons. When I saw her in NYC, I just knew I wanted to run marathons one day.

7. How did you and Luíza meet, and what role does running play in your relationship? How do you support each other in training and life?We met when she was 15 and I were 18. We started running together before dating =)At first, I was the one who wanted to become a professional triathlete. After a couple of years, I was the one flying to watch her race in world championships.

8. As a materials engineer in Niterói, how do you balance your professional career with the demands of marathon training?Since I used to train for triathlons, just marathons is a bit easier. Even though, I am now a father, and our boy requires attention. Running is now a hobby, and helps me in all other parts of my life. I believe we need to take good care of our body, soul and spirit. If one area is not aligned, we do not feel complete.

9. What have been some of the biggest challenges in your running journey so far — injuries, motivation, time constraints? How did you work through them?Injuries are part of an athlete's life, but after 20 years of running, now I have the experience to listen to my body and reduce when needed. My biggest challenges have been Rio and Boston Marathons.

10. Your son already participates in kids' runs — that’s amazing! What values do you hope he learns from growing up in a running family?I hope he can enjoy running as much as his mom and I do. Running is just a moment of reflection, performance, and joy...

11. Before Boston, what were some of your biggest running goals or milestones? How did it feel to still hit a personal record despite everything that happened during the race?In 2024 my goal was to enjoy running and try to balance my life between family, running, my work and my church and the social project that I participate. Once we saw the Boston Marathon Atmosphere, I started to desire running all majors. But, at mile 20, my thought was "I don't need to do other marathons" lol.

12. How do you mentally prepare for major races like Boston? Do you have any techniques like visualization, prayer, or mantras that help set your focus?I studied the course, trained and prayed.

13. During a race, when the fatigue really sets in, what goes through your mind? How do you mentally push through the hardest parts?My thought is: God, it hurts, help me get to the finish line.All can be trained. If we push ourselves the correct way during training, we'll be more capable of performing on race days.

14. Your faith seems like an important part of your life. How has it influenced your approach to running, competition, and helping others?I met Jesus after an invitation of a friend who used to train triathlon with me, when I was 19.The faith I have in Jesus is a huge part of who I am, and I am sure that without Him, I would not have stopped for Shawn. God, using His Holy Spirit, conduces us to act as Jesus on Earth. That's what being a disciple means.

15. How do you handle the pressure or expectations that come with chasing big goals like Boston?After many years racing, I am able to handle it a bit easier. I believe that doing competitive sports since I was 16 has helped me a lot on handling pressure at work, at races, etc.

16. Would you say running plays a role in your mental health? How does the sport help you deal with life's stresses or challenges?That for sure. I am a very anxious person, and running helps me a lot on stressful days. I learned that hanging out with friends, running, prayers and time with family, are my medicines =)

17. Could you describe a typical week of marathon training for you — mileage, workouts, rest days, and cross-training?My wife says I have the best relation between performance and hour of training. For a person that pursues the 2:40 I know my mileage is not much. But, for my intense working life/being a present dad/doing voluntary work/etc, I believe I run almost as much as I can.I run 5 times per week, about 60 miles per week. I don't go to the gym. That's an area of improvement for me.

18. Boston’s course is famous for its hills and unpredictability. How did you specifically prepare for that challenge in your training?I watched many videos of the course, and I believed I was very prepared for the course. But, at mile 20 I knew I was not. Boston is hard and I suffered a lot at the last 6 miles.

19. What’s your go-to strategy for race day fueling — gels, hydration, food?10 gels, every 4 km, hydrating as much as I could.What I did wrong was throwing water on my head. Because I am Brazilian and I trained for Boston in a very hot summer, I just thought throwing water is normal... Luíza and I suffered a lot with the cold due to this...

20. How do you approach recovery after tough training cycles or races? Are there any key practices you follow (stretching, sleep, physio)?I love the ice tubes and massages.

21. Over the years, how has your training philosophy evolved? Have you had to adjust volume, intensity, or mindset as you gained more experience?That's for sure. When I was 18–20 I used to train 15 to 18 sessions per week. 3–4 hours per day.I cannot imagine a week of what I used to do...But, I used to be injured all the time. Now, I put my wellbeing and the wellbeing of my family, before my performance.

22. Since Boston, have other runners or fans reached out to you? Are there any messages that particularly touched you?Many people.2 messages touched me a lot. The first one came from Shawn's sister, telling me the entire family was feeling so grateful because of my act, and told me that Shawn had trained a lot for this special day.The second was a message from a mom saying she has 2 runner girls at school, saying both were very touched with my act, saying they want to run marathons one day...

23. What do you hope your story inspires in other runners — or in people outside of running altogether?I want to inspire people to copy Jesus. I am sure that what people recognize in me, is what they are seeking for.What would Jesus do if he was going for a 2:40 in Boston?

24. What advice would you give to runners about the importance of helping others and community spirit in races and training?In life and in a marathon, there will always be someone fallen who needs help to raise. It can be ourselves one day... Let's live what Jesus inspired us to live... There is no better life!

25. Lastly, how do you personally define success — in running, in your career, and in life? Beyond PRs, what motivates you every day?Following the Greatest of All - Jesus. If you do so, you will find the real meaning of life. I found and you can also.

An Uplifting Worldwide Reaction

By the next morning, Arieta’s act of selflessness had become the defining story of the 2025 Boston Marathon, spreading rapidly across the internet. Spectators who captured the finish on their phones posted videos to TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter, where they amassed millions of views within hours. The hashtag #bostonmarathon2025 trended alongside #BostonStrong, not because of an official race result or record, but because of a spontaneous display of sportsmanship. One TikTok clip set to the song “Take My Hand” zoomed in on Arieta hoisting Goodwin up, drawing over 10 million views and countless comments like “This is what it’s all about!” and “faith in humanity restored.” Another spectator video caption read: “Over 30,000 runners at the 2025 Boston Marathon and this amazing human showed true sportsmanship to help a fellow runner finish the most famous marathon!”. The sentiment was shared by thousands: the numbers on the clock were irrelevant; the real victory was in that gesture of kindness.

Around the world, media outlets from local Boston news to international sports pages picked up the story. Boston.com described how Arieta “put aside his personal aspirations” in that crucial moment. Many headlines hailed him as a hero. On social forums, running enthusiasts and casual observers alike praised Arieta’s priorities. “If you’re ever losing faith in human nature, go watch the Boston Marathon,” one user wrote, paraphrasing something famously said about marathons, as Arieta’s deed exemplified the best of humanity. Perhaps one of the most telling reactions came from a comment on TikTok: “I have no idea who won the race, but now I know the name Pedro Arieta.” The official winners – John Korir of Kenya, who blazed to a 2:04:45 finish for the men, and Sharon Lokedi of Kenya, who won the women’s race – had their moment of glory. Yet, for countless people, it was Pedro Arieta who left the most enduring legacy of this Marathon Monday.

The story struck such a chord that fans started calling for Arieta to be formally recognized. A popular refrain on social media dubbed him “the real winner of Boston 2025,” since he won something more important than a medal in many . Within days, a grassroots campaign was underway to honor his sportsmanship. One online petition urged the Boston Athletic Association to give Arieta the 2025 John A. Kelley Award, an award reserved for individuals who “inspire through grace, generosity, and strength of spirit.” By the end of the week, hundreds of people had signed on, echoing that Arieta’s humanity exemplified the values of the Boston Marathon .

Arieta, for his part, reacted to all this attention with characteristic humility. He thanked people for their kind words but gently reminded everyone that he didn’t see himself as a hero – just a runner who did what felt right. “The real heroes,” he said in one interview, “are all those who support each other every day in big and small ways.” Still, it’s clear that his actions resonated deeply. In an era when competitive sports can sometimes seem ruthlessly focused on results, this act provided a refreshing reminder that compassion and camaraderie are still at the heart of athletic endeavors.

And what of the man he helped, Shawn Goodwin? In the days following the marathon, the two runners finally connected beyond that brief shared finish. Using the power of social networks, Arieta managed to find Goodwin’s family and learned the identity of the runner he had lifted Goodwin’s sister reached out, thanking Arieta for helping her brother. That led to Arieta and Goodwin exchanging messages and speaking about the race. Goodwin, a Boston resident, was profoundly grateful – not only for the assistance but for the example set by his rescuer. He reportedly told Arieta that while he was sorry for inadvertently costing him a faster time, he was overwhelmed by his kindness. Arieta assured him that no personal record could compare to the importance of helping a fellow runner, and that he considers their joint finish a treasured memory. The two have kept in touch since, turning a chance encounter into a new friendship forged in the crucible of the marathon’s final meters. There are even murmurs that if both are healthy, they might reunite at a future Boston Marathon – perhaps running it together in a celebratory spirit.

For Boston Marathon organizers and fans, the Arieta–Goodwin finish has already entered the lore of Heartbreak Hill legends and finish-line miracles. The Boston Athletic Association highlighted the moment in its post-race communications, emphasizing that this is what the marathon community is all about. Seasoned observers noted that altruistic acts do happen in marathons from time to time, but rarely so close to the finish on such a grand stage. In 2019, for instance, a pair of runners memorably helped an exhausted woman complete the final steps of a marathon in Texas – but Boston’s stage, with its prestige and live global audience, amplified Arieta’s act to a symbol of hope far beyond the running world. As one columnist wrote, “Arieta didn’t win the Boston Marathon, but he won Boston’s heart.”

From Niterói to Boston: The Making of a Runner and His Values

To those who know Pedro Arieta’s backstory, his generosity on the course came as no surprise. Arieta is not an internationally famous professional runner, but rather a devoted amateur athlete who balances intense training with work and family life. Back home in Niterói – a coastal city across the bay from Rio de Janeiro – he works full-time as a materials engineer and is a husband and father. In fact, Pedro’s wife, Luíza Cravo de Azevedo, is a prominent runner in her own right: a social media influencer in the running community with over 115,000 followers tracking her marathon

Pedro’s journey to the Boston Marathon was fueled by years of dedication. Friends describe him as disciplined but also immensely supportive to others in their running club. In local Brazil races, he was known to pace slower friends to help them set personal bests, embodying a team spirit even in solo events. Boston 2025 was his first time on the famed course, a hard-earned slot after he ran a qualifying marathon time fast enough to meet Boston’s strict . He arrived in Massachusetts not as an elite seeded runner, but as one of 30,000+ qualifiers and charity runners who had all put in the miles to toe that starting line in Hopkinton. For Arieta, just getting to Boston was the culmination of a dream. As he recounted in our interview, he had trained for months to beat his personal record and knew he was in probably the best shape of his life.

Indeed, Arieta’s fitness was on full display in the race – he covered the first 20 miles with metronomic consistency, navigating the infamous Newton hills efficiently. By the time he reached downtown Boston, he was poised to shatter his previous personal best (which stood around the mid-2:40s) and likely finish in the low 2:40s or better. Even with the stop to help Goodwin, Arieta’s official time of 2:41:29 was a personal record for him, proving the caliber of runner he . As a Brazilian media outlet noted, despite losing time by stopping, he still “ficou acima do tempo proposto mas ainda assim bateu seu recorde pessoal” – he missed his proposed time, but still beat his own recordnsctotal.com.br. It’s a testament to his training and determination that even when performing an act of kindness, he excelled as an athlete.

But what truly defines Pedro Arieta is not just his speed – it’s his mindset and values. Arieta has often said that running is as much a spiritual and moral pursuit for him as a physical one. He approaches marathoning with a sense of gratitude and purpose. In the interview above, Arieta spoke of how his faith in God underpins his running. While he doesn’t boast about it, those close to him know he often whispers a prayer of thanks at the start line of races. His wife Luíza’s comment, “God used you to do something with much more meaning,” is a window into the couple’s shared belief that higher principles matter more than split times. Arieta’s decision on Boylston Street was made in an eyeblink, but it was informed by a lifetime of character – the kind that instinctively prioritizes compassion over competition.

Arieta also believes strongly in the community aspect of running. After experiencing the wave of support from Boston spectators and understanding firsthand how much the encouragement of strangers can fuel a runner, he doubled down on his statement that “sport is much more collective than we think” In other words, even though each runner wears their own bib number, no one runs a marathon truly alone – it’s a collective effort of runners, volunteers, supporters, and even the city’s spirit. This philosophy had been percolating in him through years of group runs and pacing others, and it dramatically manifested in his act of helping Shawn Goodwin. It’s fitting that in helping someone else reach their dream finish, Arieta found a deeper meaning to his own race.

As for Arieta’s own reflections, he remains astonishingly grounded. “I didn’t win the Boston Marathon in the official results,” he said with a laugh in one interview, “but I feel like I won something greater – a connection with someone and a story I can share forever.” He has expressed a renewed motivation to continue running and possibly return to Boston. With his qualifying time well under the required standard (even 2:41 is far ahead of the qualifying cutoff for his age group), he stands a good chance of getting a spot in the 2026 Boston Marathon should he apply. And if he does come back, the city of Boston would no doubt welcome him with open arms – as something of an honorary Bostonian now. After all, the ideals of “Boston Strong” aren’t just about the fastest or the strongest, but also about heart and solidarity. In 2025, a runner from Brazil demonstrated exactly that on the grandest stage.

In the lore of the Boston Marathon, Pedro Freitas Arieta’s act of sportsmanship will be remembered alongside the race’s most inspiring moments. Years from now, when tales of Marathon Monday 2025 are told, it won’t be just about how fast John Korir ran or how many finishers there were. It will be about two strangers leaning on each other to cross a finish line, about a crowd of thousands finding unity in a simple act of kindness, and about a runner who chose to be a helper first and a competitor second. Arieta’s story reminds us that the value of a marathon finish isn’t measured only in hours and minutes, but in human decency and the bonds we form along 26.2 miles. In an event created to test individual limits, he showed that sometimes greatness is achieved by lifting someone else up. And that is a finish line moment worth celebrating for years to come.