Carrie Kelley of Sandy, Utah, has 68 marathons under her belt, but there’s one in particular that she’ll never forget.
It wasn’t because of her speed or even the race itself – it was the stunning kindness that came from a complete stranger!
On October 3, Carrie ran in the Beaver Canyon Marathon. By mile 4, she wasn’t sure she would be able to finish. She was already in pain because of previous injuries.
That’s when she noticed a man running up to join her! It was Fidel Ybarra, an inmate from the Utah Department of Corrections who was on work release. His job was to help with setup and cleanup efforts during the event, but after seeing Carrie struggling, he knew he had to help her finish. So he stayed by her side for the remaining 22 miles!
“I could have stopped and jumped in the work van with the deputy that was following us, but something kept me going,” Fidel said. “I feel like by the end I was in more pain than her, but the feeling of accomplishment was more than I can describe in words.”
Throughout those grueling hours, the two of them talked, joked, and cheered each other on. Carrie was already amazed by Fidel’s endurance, but even more impressive, she said, was “his willingness to go out of his way to help me.” And she wasn’t the only one he inspired!
“Watching the two of them cross together had everyone in tears,” race director Amy Albrecht added. “It was so moving, and one of the neatest things I have ever seen. I don’t know his past mistakes, but what he did showed his true character. We were able to find his mother’s address to send her his medal, because he deserves it for what he did that day.”
What a sweetheart! Fidel’s gesture just goes to show that you should never judge a book by its cover – and that people shouldn’t be defined by their past.
Share this story as a reminder that kindness comes in many forms.
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