The Boston Marathon this year gave fans something they did not expect. Two pregnant runners completed the full 26.2 miles and left a strong message behind. British Olympian Calli Hauger-Thackery ran the race while five and a half months pregnant. Besides her, a US runner from Utah also took part while expecting. Their stories quickly caught attention and started conversations about strength, choice, and what athletes can do even during pregnancy.For many watching, it was surprising. But for the runners, it was deeply personal. They were not just chasing a finish time. They were proving something to themselves. And in doing that, they also inspired others. From medical challenges during the race to emotional moments at the finish line, this year’s Boston Marathon became about much more than running.
Calli Hauger-Thackery and US pregnant runner complete Boston Marathon while sharing real struggles and emotional moments
Calli Hauger-Thackery, a British Olympian, finished the Boston Marathon on April 20 in 2:43:58 while 22 weeks pregnant. After the race, she spoke honestly about how hard it felt. She said, “Five and a half months pregnant so, it was crazy.”The race did not go smoothly. Early on, she felt a sharp issue in her leg. She explained, “I had to dash into the medical tent because I had this crazy trapped nerve.” She added, “I genuinely couldn’t even pick up my right leg properly. I was dragging it and I was like, oh no, this is not good and this is mile five.”Even after treatment, the pain came back later. Still, she kept going. Looking back, she said, “The second half was flawless,” while calling the first part “absolutely chaos.” In the end, she pushed through and finished strong.Her doctors had supported her decision to run. They kept a close watch on her training and did not raise concerns. For her, staying active also helped her stay mentally strong during pregnancy.At the same time, a US runner from Utah ran the same race while 5.5 months pregnant. She ran with her sister Savannah, turning the race into a shared moment. Her sister said, “We had to show her,” explaining that this is what people mean when they say “run like a girl.”After crossing the finish line, the runner shared how she felt. She said, “I feel so good and tired and all the emotions. I’m so excited. We did this today.”Another story from the same race added even more meaning. Jennifer Capone Haberek, 36, ran as part of the Ellie Fund charity. She had been diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in 2024 while pregnant. She went through treatment, gave birth, had surgery, and is now cancer-free.All these stories show one thing clearly. Every runner comes to the start line with a different journey, and sometimes, those journeys are bigger than the race itself.
