Aaron Beggs, a runner from Bangor in Co Down, is going viral after stopping to help a fellow runner who collapsed near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 20.
Beggs was one of two runners from North Down Athletic Club competing in the Boston Marathon, the group said online.
"Aaron Beggs was the club’s first finisher in 2:44:36, narrowly missing a PB [personal best] as he stopped to assist an exhausted runner over the line," the club highlighted.
"In a clip that has gone viral on social media platforms, attracting hundreds of thousands of views, shares, and positive comments and reactions, the modest North Down AC man added a few extra seconds to his race through his selfless assistance to a fellow runner in the final 200m of the course."
Beggs stopped to help Ajay Haridasse, whose quads had essentially given out in the final stretch on Boylston Street. The Co Down man was assisted by Brazilian runner Robson De Oliveira in helping get Haridasse over the finish line.
The clip of Beggs and De Oliveira stopping to assist Haridasse has indeed gone viral on social media and has been picked up by major outlets around the world.
Recounting the now viral moment, Beggs told BBC Northern Ireland: "I saw the finish line and could hear the crowds go crazy.
"And out of the corner of my eye, I could see Ajay. He was constantly trying to stand up, and he kept falling over.
"And I saw the finish line, and I looked at my watch, I wasn't on for my main goal, but I was on for a PB.
"I don't know what happened. There was an instinct inside me to go and help him, just for the fact of what I was saying to myself the whole way down the road. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, everybody's got their own stories, why they're doing marathons, and everything else.
"But when you run a marathon, it's a journey together."
Beggs also told BBC News that he is hoping to do the Belfast Marathon, which is set for May 3.
@notsasiagain tears in my eyes, this is the spirit of the runners♥️ shoutout to those two! woohoooooooo #bostonstrong #bostonmarathon #marathon #boston #fyp ♬ original sound - sillysausage
Beggs has won warm praise at home in Northern Ireland.
"This is who we are in Northern Ireland!" Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood said on social media. "Step forward Aaron Beggs- a gentleman and a hero! Coming to the aid of this guy and helping him finish the race was pure class!!"
MP Gavin Robinson, head of the DUP, said: "You can take the man out of Northern Ireland, but you can’t take Northern Ireland out of the man. Well done Aaron Beggs, stopping your own race to help someone else over the line. That’s real character."
SDLP MLA Cara Hunter said Beggs showed the world "the compassion and humility the people of Northern Ireland are known for," adding that "the people of Northern Ireland truly are one of a kind."
UUP MLA Robbie Butler added: "Aaron Beggs. The very best of us! Take a bow sir"
Athletics Northern Ireland also praised Beggs, saying he "demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship."
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Even the Olympics highlighted Beggs' story:
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