Jess Kensky and Patrick Downes Finish Boston Marathon
Will Jess Kensky and Patrick Downes ever cease to amaze?
When the husband-and-wife team crossed the finish line of today’s Boston Marathon, Kensky’s time of 2:14:13 earned her first place in the women’s handcycle division, while Downes placed a solid 17th. Completing one of the athletic world’s most prestigious events would be a major achievement for anyone, but for Downes and Kensky, it was a victory.
A year ago, the couple nearly lost their lives when the bombs went off at the marathon’s finish line. They each lost a leg and have endured dozens of surgeries on the long road to recovery.
Patrick’s father, Brian Downes, BA ’72, called the Alcalde in the days after the tragedy to ask the Texas Exes community for help raising funds to cover the exorbitant medical expenses. Longhorns shared the story far and wide—and chipped in to help bring the couple’s fund to more than $880,000.
In his emotional speech at last week’s memorial service, Patrick said, “We chose to love and that has made all the difference.”
Watch a video of their finish below:
