Boston Bombing Survivor Races With Man Who Helped Save His Life

Life has come full circle for Boston bombing survivor Jeff Bauman and his cowboy hat-wearing hero, Carlos Arredondo.

When Arredondo bolted from the bleachers during the 2013 marathon attack to help save Bauman who was severely injured, the two were captured in the now-iconic image that embodied the bloodshed, and the selflessness, of the fateful day. On Saturday, the two came together to create another striking image. But this time, the roles were reversed.

Bauman, who lost his legs as a result of the blasts, finished his first road race since getting hurt, a one-mile event at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts. He completed the feat together with Arredondo, who was in a wheelchair after having leg surgery, the Boston Herald reported.

Bauman pushed Arredondo across finish line.

The pair, who participated in the Runner’s World Classic “Celebrity Mile,” were also joined Adrianne Haslett, another Boston bombing survivor, and Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans among others, the Boston Globe reported.

The celebrity runners crossed the finish line behind Bauman and Arredondo.

“I can’t believe after the first lap everyone walked behind me,” Bauman said, according to CBS Boston. “That meant a lot, to have everyone with me and Carlos.”

The bombing survivor has come a long way since the attack more than three years ago. Bauman was a spectator that day and Arredondo attended the marathon to honor his son who was killed in Iraq. Arredondo hurried over and pinched a severed artery from Bauman’s thigh.

Now, Bauman says he’s staying focused on what’s ahead.

“I really don’t think about the past too much,” Bauman said, CBS Boston reported. “I try to stay in the present and the support here is amazing and people want to see me up and walking with my prosthetics.”