BOSTON – Seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson made it to the finish line for the second time in three days on Monday, successfully completing his first attempt at the Boston Marathon.
Johnson completed the 26.2-mile distance in three hours, nine minutes and seven seconds, just over his previously-stated goal of finishing underneath the three-hour benchmark.
The 43-year-old placed 4,155th overall, 3,746th among men and 641st in his division.
“It was amazing,” Johnson told reporters, including NBC Sports, after completing his run. “I couldn’t believe how many people recognized the bib and cheering me on, from banners and T-shirts. My sponsor Ally was at the firehouse (at mile marker 17) and took it over and decorated and I got a huge applause coming through there.”
Johnson left the starting line amid a wave of runners at 10:25 a.m. ET and crossed the finish line at 1:34 p.m. ET on Monday afternoon. His bib number was 4848.
He came to Boston after competing in Saturday night’s Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond (Va.) Raceway, charging from 34th on the grid to finish 12th after pre-race inspection issues relegated he and a host of others to the rear of the field for the start.
Johnson left Richmond ranked 13th in driver points and is in early playoff contention.
Kenya’s Lawrence Cherono won Monday’s Boston Marathon in the third-closest men’s finish in event history, posting a winning time of two hours, seven minutes and 57 seconds.
Cherono passed Ethiopia’s Lelisa Desisa in the final feet and won by two seconds.