Illinois alumni Daniel Romanchuk and Susannah Scaroni became the first Americans to win the men’s and women’s New York City Marathon wheelchair races on Sunday.
Romanchuk
It was Romanchuk’s best finish at the event since he won the marathon in 2018 and 2019. This year, he finished in 1:36.31. He was also the youngest athlete ever and the first American to win the New York City Marathon men’s wheelchair race in 2018.
Romanchuk has four Paralympic medals in total. He won a gold medal in the T54 400m and a bronze in the T54 marathon in Tokyo. Then, he won gold in the T54 5000m and bronze in the T54 400m in Paris this past summer.
Scaroni
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As for Scaroni, she captured first place with a time of 1:43.05, which was more than 10 minutes in front of the next finisher. Scaroni also won the event in 2022.
Scaroni is a six-time Paralympic medalist with one gold, one silver and four bronze medals. She won gold in the T54 5000m and bronze in the T54 800m in Tokyo. At Paris in 2024, Scaroni won a silver medal in the T54 5000m. She added three bronze medals in the T54 1500m, 800m and marathon races.
For Scaroni, these medals weren’t won without facing a major setback. In September 2021, Scaroni was hit by a car while training, which resulted in three fractured vertebrae.
The injuries that Scaroni sustained from the accident forced her to adopt a new racing position as she returned to racing in January 2022.
Strong coaching
Both athletes continue to train with the University of Illinois’ wheelchair track and road racing head coach Adam Bleakney. Bleakney also serves as the USA Paralympic wheelchair racing coach.
Under Bleakney, the former Illini have seen success at the Paralympic Games, winning medals in Paris in 2024 and Tokyo in 2021.
Off the pavement
In August 2024, Romanchuk started a nonprofit organization called Wheels for Change. This initiative plans to provide equipment for those who want to try wheelchair racing. Romanchuk has also received the support of Clif Bar to support this initiative.
Scaroni and Romanchuk continue to inspire people within the Champaign-Urbana community and the United States through their resilience and commitment to give back.
