From the Big Country to Boston: Abilene teacher competes in the Boston Marathon

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – The word “marathon” comes from an event that occurred in 490 B.C. when a messenger ran 26 miles from the Battle of Marathon in Greece to Athens to inform his countrymen that the Athenians had won the battle against the invading Persians. In the modern day, you don’t have to go to Greece to be in a marathon, and one Big Country teacher got the opportunity to fulfill her dream by running in the Boston Marathon. Laura Thomas is a Kindergarten teacher at Stafford Elementary School and recently competed in the 2025 Boston Marathon, where she finished in the top 20% of the women’s category. She said part of her motivation for completing the race came from teachers and students alike, all the way back in Texas.

“They had all these signs I didn’t even know that they took pictures with, and then my principal at my school, she was sending me those throughout my race to encourage me. She made a video with all my students cheering for me and sent it to me before my race. So, I’m like bawling before my race watching this because it was so sweet,” Thomas shared.

Another bit of motivation for Thomas came just before the race, when she got the opportunity to meet one of her idols, female running legend Joan Benoit Samuelson. Samuelson gave Thomas a bit of luck and an unforgettable piece of memorabilia for the race.

“She’s the first woman to win the gold medal in the marathon. I was like, yes, and she said, ‘Well, she’s here. Do you want to meet her?’ I was like, yes! So, I got to meet her,” Thomas recalled. “She actually signed my bib, and it says, Have a great race through Boston.”

Between teaching, being a running coach, and her own personal training for the marathon, Thomas said her commitment to this passion culminated in one beautiful moment that she will remember for the rest of her life.

“The last turn into the finish line and just all of the crowd around you… I just soaked it in. I didn’t cry. I thought it would cry, but I didn’t. I was just smiling. I was grinning from ear to ear,” Thomas shared.

Now back in Texas, Thomas has taken a few days off to recover from the marathon and said that when she returns to her classroom, she will wear the medal she deservedly earned to show all her students that achieving your dreams is truly possible.

“This is just what I’ve been imagining and dreaming about for the past seven or eight years. So, I’m very, very excited to wear this around my neck.”