Lievense ran as a guide for Tony Ward, a 50-year-old blind man from Ireland.
“It wasn’t as much wanting to do the New York City Marathon as it was wanting to help someone achieve their goal physically,” Lievense said.
Lievense and Ward met just hours prior to the race. The two were paired through an organization called Achilles International.
“The opportunity that I had was pretty cool, working with an organization who helps physically disabled people try to feel as normal and as empowered as possible,” Lievense said.
Although Lievense said he’s had experience working with the Special Olympics and organizing events for disabled athletes, he had never done anything similar to being a guide. He said he spent the 26.2 miles clearing a path for Ward by making sure nothing was in his way.
“Ethan was the one in front and he needed to be very proactive and vocal to make sure people got out of the way and he was super at that,” Ward said in an email.
“He worked so hard, basically shouting his way through 26 miles but always in a respectful way as other runners don’t always realize what is going on.”
Ward and his guides finished the race in 3 hours and 29 minutes, only 14 minutes past their goal time.