Six years ago, Jason McElwain came off the bench to become a YouTube sensation and inspiration for millions. This weekend, the 23-year old McElwain qualified for the Boston Marathon by finishing the MVP Health Care Rochester Marathon in 3 hours, 1 minute and 41 seconds — the first marathon he has ever competed in.
McElwain finished in 15th place and qualified for the Boston classic by finishing in under 3:05. The supermarket baker, known as J-Mac, hopes to run in Boston in 2014.
McElwain was the student-manager of the Greece Athena High School team when coach Jim Johnson put him in the final game of the season in 2006. With four minutes left, J-Mac hit six 3-point shots and two free throws sending the crowd into a wild frenzy.
The video went viral and has been viewed millions of times. The inspirational McElwain went on to meet then-President George W. Bush and appear with Oprah Winfrey. The movie rights were bought by former NBA star Magic Johnson.
About his unforgettable game, the unflappable McElwain explained that he was "hotter than a pistol."
Besides working in the bakery, McElwain is an assistant JV basketball coach. He began his marathon training about a year ago.
This is one guy that's never been out of the running anyway.
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