NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson posts impressive time in Boston Marathon debut

Shalise Manza Young

On Saturday, seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson raced in the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond, finishing 12th.

Less than 48 hours later, he traded his head-to-toe racing suit for a different type of racing apparel: running sneakers, shorts and a T-shirt.

The 43-year-old was part of the field in the 123rd Boston Marathon — wearing bib No. 4848, of course — and posted an impressive time.

‘Most challenging thing I’ve ever done’

Johnson is a triathlete, but this was his first time running a marathon.

His stated goal was to finish in three hours, and he came quite close, with a time of 3:09:07, averaging 7:17 per mile. He was 4,183rd overall (there were over 30,000 entrants) and 646th in the men’s 40-44 age group.

Lawrence Cherono out-sprinted Lelisa Desisa to win the men’s race.

“That was the most challenging thing I’ve ever done, what an experience,” Johnson tweeted.

“I left the pace I wanted to try to hold and came up a little bit short of my goal,” Johnson told reporters after finishing. “I wanted to race it and really run hard and challenge myself.

“I need some food. I’m afraid to sit down. I might not get back up. Everything is starting to tighten back up right now.”

Johnson received his finisher’s medal from 2014 Boston champion and long-distance racing legend Meb Keflezighi, who served as grand marshal of this year’s race.

It was ‘amazing’

Johnson, who was able to run through a sponsor’s exemption, was recognized by fans as he ran.

“It’s been an amazing experience. I’ve learned so much about myself. I just can’t believe how the city supports all the runners on the course,” he told WBZ-TV.

One of Johnson’s sponsors, Ally Racing, took over the fire station at Mile 17, in the town of Newton, handing out T-shirts and flags, and naturally Johnson got one of his biggest cheers as he passed by.

Because of his time, Johnson qualified to run Boston again next year, but the NASCAR schedule probably won’t be as favorable.

“Somebody told me that it doesn’t work out as well. I’d like to have Sunday to recover some [after a NASCAR race],” Johnson said. “If I can, I will.”

Two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip completed the 2000 Boston Marathon, finishing in 4:42:20.

NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson, left, completed the Boston Marathon on Monday and received his medal from race marshal and 2014 champion Meb Keflezighi. (AP)
NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson, left, completed the Boston Marathon on Monday and received his medal from race marshal and 2014 champion Meb Keflezighi. (AP)

Touched by tragedy

This year’s marathon was held on the sixth anniversary of the finish-line bombing that rocked the race and the city of Boston. The tragedy touched Johnson’s Hendricks Motorsports team.

“We had somebody close to Hendrick Motorsports … was [because of] the bombing,” Johnson said. “Sean Collier was a security guard at MIT and was lost trying to apprehend the bombers. His brother [Andrew] worked in our engine shop and I’ve been able to meet with his family and spend time with them and take them to the races. I’ve been trying to bring up his name and honor him.”

Sean Collier was 26 when he was shot and killed in his vehicle by the Marathon bombing suspects during his regular night shift patrolling the Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus.

More from Yahoo Sports:

Advertisement