Philadelphia businessman pays $75k to Boston Marathon winner who didn't get her prize

June 27, 2024 / 12:52 pm

caption: Buzunesh Deba, of Ethiopia, looks over her shoulder on the home stretch of Boylston Street as she came in for a second-place finish in the women's race of the 118th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2014. (Dina Rudick/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

The year after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, Kenyan Rita Jeptoo was crowned winner of the storied race during an emotional finish-line scene remembered by spectators and runners. Two years later, Jeptoo was disqualified for doping.

Ethiopia’s Buzunesh “Buza” Deba — who also broke the women’s course record — became the official winner. That made her the rightful winner of the $75,000 prize, plus another $25,000 for her course record. But the money never came.

The Boston Athletic Association says they haven’t gotten the money they paid to Jeptoo back. But a Philadelphia businessman who heard the tale stepped in and wrote the check.

Here & Now’s Scott Tong talks to Doug Guyer about why he donated the money to Deba, and what it’s meant for her training and her family.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.