Sarah Bohan, a participant in the 2023 Chicago Marathon, made headlines not for her speed but for her compassion. She gave up a chance at a personal record to rescue a stray kitten she found during the race.
Bohan was on track for a personal best time in the marathon when she spotted a tiny white face under a pile of leaves near the side of the road. A dedicated animal lover with two rescue cats at home, Bohan couldn't ignore the kitten's plight. She decided to walk the rest of the course, cradling the one-pound kitten in her arms.
This is reported by Paws Chicago.
A new home for the kitten
As Bohan continued her walk, she and her friend Gia Nigro, also an animal enthusiast, looked for someone among the spectators to adopt the kitten.
Their search ended in the Pilsen neighborhood, where they met Andrea Maldonado and her family. Maldonado immediately agreed to give the kitten a new home.
Bohan was running the marathon to raise funds for PAWS Chicago, an animal rescue organization. The organization later reached out to Maldonado to offer free veterinary services for the kitten, now named Casper.
After a thorough check-up, Casper was declared healthy and is now a beloved member of the Maldonado family, which includes four children and other pets.
The story of Bohan's compassionate act and Casper's adoption has been covered in more than 350 media stories worldwide. Bohan completed the marathon in 3 hours and 33 minutes and plans to aim for a record next year.
Watch little Casper and his hero Sarah Bohan in the post below
