Woman completes Boston Marathon six months after suffering traumatic brain injury

BOSTON — Rachel Foster said one thing was driving her during the months she spent learning to walk again: she wanted to run this year’s Boston Marathon.

“In the back of my head, it was always, ‘Boston is coming up, Boston is coming up,’” Foster said.

The 35-year-old from Edmond, Oklahoma suffered a traumatic brain injury after falling off a scooter in November. The injury almost killed her. Foster said she was in a coma for ten days and doctors had to replace part of her skull with an implant. She spent weeks relearning basic motor skills and didn’t walk again until Jan. 22.

The Boston Marathon kept her moving forward, she said.

“I’ve been so excited for this day. It literally helped me walk again. I know that sounds crazy but the thought of doing this, and being here, helped me first walk, then jog, and then run,” Foster said.

Tim Altendorf, Foster’s running partner and friend from Oklahoma, said her recovery has been incredible.

“She did great for somebody who probably shouldn’t have been out there,” Altendorf said. “But her determination and her resolve, I don’t know anybody like Rachel. I really don’t.”

Foster said this was her second time running the Boston Marathon, her tenth marathon overall, but it will always be the most special.

“It really was a miracle. I should not be alive right now and I definitely should not be running marathons,” Foster said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW

©2023 Cox Media Group