Viral Basketball Star 'JMac' Prepares To Run Third Boston Marathon
BOSTON (CBS) - For every step Jason McElwain takes, it's a reminder that anything is possible.
"I was told at three years old I would not be able to talk and walk," Jason said.
The 27-year-old is known as JMac. He was catapulted into the national spotlight back in 2006, when this highly functioning autistic basketball player scored 20 points in the last four minutes of his high school basketball game in Rochester, New York.
He won the ESPY for best performance that year beating out Kobe Bryant.
His life hasn't been the same since that moment. "It's a moment you never dreamed of," JMac said.
Ten years later he has not slowed down one bit. He's become a motivational speaker and now coaches for the team he once played for and where his 52 jersey number has been retired.
"Now I am a marathon runner, ultra-marathon runner," JMac said.
On April 18th he will participate in the Boston Marathon. "It's one of the most historical events in all of sports," JMac said.
He also knows running the Boston Marathon will be grueling. "I just thank God but a lot can go wrong in 26 miles. Mile 18 to 26 is a bear," JMac said.
This will be JMac's third Boston Marathon. After he runs he says he other big plans for his future.
"My goal is to be a college coach and become a skills trainer around the country for basketball," JMac said.
He spends his days working in the bakery department at Wegmans in Rochester and his nights training for the marathon.
"It was the hardest dream that I have ever accomplished in my life," JMac said.
He lives by a simple philosophy, "if you don't dream it you can't become it."
He hopes he can use his story to help others. "I think it's great I can inspire and give hope to people," JMac said.
