Bill Iffrig, the man whose collapse near the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon became one of the iconic images of the tragedy after the first bomb exploded, passed away on January 8 in Marysville, Wash. He was 89 years old. Mr. Iffrig, who suffered from dementia, resided in Marysville. He had a diverse career, working as both a carpenter and bricklayer. In fact, he built the house that his family lived in for over 50 years.
Although Mr. Iffrig didn’t take up running until he was 40, he quickly became a formidable competitor. He won multiple national age-group championships, including the men’s 76-79 cross-country championship. This achievement was even more remarkable considering his late start in the sport.
During the 2013 Boston Marathon, Mr. Iffrig was about to complete the race when two explosions rocked Boylston Street. The force of the blasts knocked him to the ground, and Globe photographer John Tlumacki captured the moment as Boston police officers assessed the chaotic scene nearby. Tlumacki’s photograph quickly gained global recognition, even gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated. President Barack Obama commended Mr. Iffrig’s perseverance in his message to the nation following the bombings.
Not only did Mr. Iffrig finish the 2013 Boston Marathon, coming in fourth place in his age group with a time of 4:03:47, but he also returned to the race in 2015 at the age of 80 and finished second in his age group with a time of 4:23:13. As a testament to his enduring spirit, Mr. Iffrig proudly displayed a framed photograph of John Tlumacki’s Sports Illustrated cover in his home.
Last April, Tlumacki had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Iffrig on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the tragedy. In his account of the meeting, Tlumacki revealed that both Mr. Iffrig and his wife, Donna, battled dementia. Despite this, when Mr. Iffrig saw Tlumacki, he recognized him and extended his left hand towards the Sports Illustrated cover, demonstrating that he still remembered who Tlumacki was. Reflecting on the encounter, Tlumacki described Mr. Iffrig as a spirited and determined man, albeit changed from the person he had captured in his iconic photograph a decade earlier.
Tragically, Donna Iffrig, Bill’s wife of 69 years, passed away in November. Their legacy lives on through their son Mark, daughter Susan Shephard, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Bill Iffrig’s life serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of the human spirit. Despite the challenges he faced, both on the marathon course and in his later years, he never wavered in his determination. His story, immortalized in photographs and celebrated around the world, will continue to inspire generations to come..
