• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • News

Marine vet who crawled to Boston Marathon finish surprised with spot in New York Marathon

4:02
Vet who crawled across Boston finish line gets a surprise
ABC News
ByKelly McCarthy and Alexandra Svokos
April 17, 2019, 11:53 AM

A determined Marine veteran who pulled himself across the finish line of the Boston Marathon and fell short of his goal to qualify for the New York City Marathon received a big surprise when "Good Morning America" told him he officially has a coveted spot in the race.

Micah Herndon made headlines Monday for his painful, yet triumphant, finish, battling to end the race on his own through cramping and pain.

"After I knew I couldn't get my goal pace cause I was trying to qualify for the New York City Marathon, I just had one mission in mind and that was to finish by myself," he said.

Robin Roberts told Herndon that the organizers of the New York City Marathon have invited him to run the race in November.

"I appreciate that. That's good stuff right there," Herndon responded, visibly taken aback. "Whoever set that up, thank you."

Marine veteran Micah Herndon, who crossed the Boston Marathon finish line by crawling, was surprised with a spot in the New York City Marathon on "Good Morning America," April 17, 2019.
ABC News

"I will be ready by the fall, believe that -- that's for sure," he said. "Wow."

The 31-year-old told ABC News the pain began as the humidity from the rainy day affected him, and his legs started to break down at mile 22 of the 26.2-mile race.

"You just gotta push through it, you know? Once I realized I couldn't achieve and maintain my goal pace, I had one goal in mind, and that was just to finish that race on my own," he said.

Micah Herndon, of Tallmadge, Ohio, crawls to the finish line in the 123rd Boston Marathon on April 15, 2019, in Boston.
Charles Krupa/AP

Herndon may have finished the race by himself physically, but he was carrying with him the memories of friends he lost in the Marines.

He was deployed to Iraq in 2008 and Afghanistan in 2009 as a lead machine-gunner in the "Lava Dogs" division -- the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, based out of Hawaii – Ohio’s Record-Courier reported in a pre-race profile.

Related Articles

(MORE: Marine veteran Micah Herndon finishes Boston Marathon crawling in memory of fallen comrades)

Running became "therapy" for Herndon after he struggled to reintegrate into civilian life following his tours, he told ABC, and it is a way for him to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder and survivor's guilt.

"To honor them, because they're not here anymore and they can't run anymore," he said. "Just to honor their names and their family that's still here."

He told "GMA" that he said his friends names aloud to keep himself motivated while running. Herndon also has special tags on his running shoe laces that have the last names of his friends.

Marine veteran Micah Herndon, who crossed the Boston Marathon finish line by crawling, was surprised with a spot in the New York City Marathon on "Good Morning America," April 17, 2019.
ABC News

This was Herndon’s third marathon, which he finished at 3 hours and 38 minutes -- about 40 minutes slower than his last marathon, and not fast enough to qualify for New York.

Herndon was determined to get back to training to qualify for Boston again and, from there, qualify for New York.

"I will learn from this experience," he said. "Every race is a journey, and I feel like you learn from your mistakes and just better yourself for the next race."

Up Next in News—

American tourists speak out after escaping Mount Etna eruption

June 3, 2025

Todd Chrisley speaks out for 1st time since Trump's pardon

May 30, 2025

Couple speaks out after dramatic rescue by Carnival cruise ship crew

May 27, 2025

Shein and Temu products impacted by tariffs: What to know

May 14, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News