Laredo runner earns Six Star Medal after Boston Marathon

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - In the world of running, the finish line is often seen as the ultimate goal. For Zabdiel Rincon, however, that goal took the form of an Abbott Six Star Medal.

An award earned by Rincon for completing the Boston Marathon this month, given to runners who finish all six World Marathon Majors: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York.

Rincon’s passion for running began in 2018 when he decided to make changes to improve his health. “I wanted to be a healthy person, so I asked around to see who could help me out and see if I could do some running,” he stated.

Inspired by his children, he decided to follow a plan called “Couch to 5K,” a nine-week running program that helped him set a goal to complete his first marathon in Chicago.

“My first major was by accident because one of my friends was going to do it, I don’t know how I did it, but I did. I found a sponsor and I went and got in,” Rincon added.

After completing his first major marathon, Rincon got the urge to continue his fitness journey in other major marathons, including those in New York, London and Berlin.

He stated, “I don’t do it for the medals, to be honest, I do it for the challenge. The challenge, in the end, feels more rewarding. Setting up your goals is a big plus when you get to finish them.”

After 16 weeks of training for the Tokyo Marathon this past March, followed by an additional seven weeks of training for Boston, Rincon’s pain, sweat and tears finally paid off when he was awarded the Six Star Medal by the Abbott World Marathon Majors.

Rincon mentioned, “My next challenge is a major that opened up in Sydney, so that’s the next one I’ll be looking into doing. There’s another one in South Africa, so I’m definitely looking forward to doing that one as well.”

He encourages other runners and athletes to keep pushing forward, noting, “Not all of us have the same goals, but the only thing I can recommend is once you start, once you set up that goal, then do it. Program it in your head and start working on it.“

Rincon isn’t the only six-star runner in our community. Earlier this year, Victor Trevino Jr. participated in the Tokyo Marathon and received his medal.

For more headlines, click here.