Marathon Runner Stops Mid Race to Rescue Crying Kitten and Finds Him a Home

Last Sunday, thousands of runners filled the streets for the Chicago Marathon. Among them was Sarah Bohan, racing not only for a personal goal but also to support PAWS Chicago.

She had trained for months and was on track for her fastest finish yet. Nothing suggested that her biggest achievement that day would happen before the finish line.

As she entered a tunnel near the final stretch of the 26.2 mile course, something unusual caught her attention. On the sidewalk sat a tiny, fluffy kitten, crying and clearly terrified.

The noise of cheering crowds echoed around them, yet the kitten looked completely alone. In that moment, Bohan faced a choice between seconds on the clock and a life in need.

She did not hesitate. She stepped off her racing pace and scooped the kitten into her arms.

Even a short stop can cost a runner a personal record, especially near the end of a marathon. Still, Bohan slowed to a careful walk so the frightened kitten would not be shaken.

From that point on, the race no longer mattered the same way. The kitten’s safety became her only focus.

She carried him for nearly a mile, cradling him against the roar of the crowd. Spectators began to notice the unexpected passenger in her arms.

A small group of fellow animal lovers stepped forward from the sidelines. They told her they had cats at home and offered to take the kitten in.

Though they were strangers, Bohan trusted her instincts. Their shared concern for the kitten spoke louder than introductions ever could.

Once she felt confident he was safe, she returned to the course. The finish line was still waiting, but her priorities had already shifted.

She later admitted that she would have stopped running entirely if that was what it took to secure a safe home for him. The race was important, but compassion mattered more.

Not long after, PAWS Chicago shared an update that brought relief. The kitten had officially found an adopter and was settling into his new home.

He was safe, loved, and no longer alone on a noisy city sidewalk.

Bohan may not have crossed the line with her fastest time, but she left the course with something far more meaningful. Sometimes the greatest victories are not measured in minutes, but in moments of kindness.