Thursday, October 1, 2026
For Robert Wilson, what began as a way to pass time during the pandemic turned into a journey across the globe — and ultimately, a finish line in Boston that marked the completion of one of running’s most prestigious achievements.
The 36-year-old Bellmore native crossed the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 20, earning the Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Medal after completing all six of the world’s major marathons.
“It’s definitely a special moment,” Wilson said. “I think that’s the best word to describe it.”
Wilson, who attended Winthrop Avenue School, Shore Road School and Grand Avenue Middle School before going on to Kellenberg Memorial High School, discovered distance running late. A former soccer and baseball player, he didn’t begin running seriously until the early days of COVID-19.
“I remember taking my first run — about five miles — and I was gassed,” he said. “It was really tough. But I had time, and I just wanted to get a little bit better each day.”
At the time, Wilson was back on Long Island after leaving his apartment in Long Island City. What started as a daily routine quickly evolved into something more.
He ran his first marathon, the New York City Marathon, in 2021, expecting it to be a one-time experience.
“I thought I’d be one and done,” he said. “But after that first race, I immediately signed up for the next one.”
It wasn’t until he traveled overseas for the London Marathon in 2023 that Wilson began to consider a larger goal. With each race, he was drawn not only to the challenge, but to the experience of running through some of the world’s most iconic cities.
That journey eventually took him to all six World Marathon Majors — including Tokyo, Berlin and Chicago — though the path was not without challenges.
During the Berlin Marathon, Wilson endured grueling heat that climbed into the 80s, forcing him to adjust expectations mid-race.
“The last five or six miles were brutal,” he said. “I was in a med tent afterward. It was definitely one of the toughest physically.”
In contrast, the Tokyo Marathon stood out as one of his most enjoyable races, thanks to seamless organization and a scenic course.
Still, Wilson said the most meaningful moments often came down to the people. During the Chicago Marathon, a fellow runner helped him push through severe leg cramps in the final miles, allowing him to finish under his goal time.
“There’s definitely a sense of community,” Wilson said. “People just want to help each other get to the finish line.”
That sense of connection extended across continents, with Wilson recalling chance encounters with runners he met in one city and saw again in another.
But it was Boston that brought everything full circle.
The race’s famed Heartbreak Hill tested runners late in the course, but once Wilson reached the top, he knew he was close. As he passed through Boston College — where he briefly attended before transferring to University of Notre Dame — he exchanged high-fives with cheering students.
“It was a super fun part of the race,” he said.
By the final miles, the energy of the city carried him forward. Crowds swelled near the finish line, bolstered by fans leaving a nearby Boston Red Sox game. Seeing his parents along the course added to the moment.
“It felt like everything came together,” Wilson said.
For his father, Jeff Wilson, the achievement reflected years of dedication behind the scenes.
“We’re proud of him — the dedication and everything else that it took,” Jeff Wilson said. “We know how much he wanted to accomplish it, so we were backing him the whole way.”
Watching from the sidelines, he said, brought its own challenges.
“You don’t realize how stressful it is watching someone run a marathon until you’re doing it,” he said.
He added that the preparation often stood out more than the races themselves.
“The training runs were probably tougher than the marathons,” Jeff Wilson said. “He’d get out of work at 10 o’clock at night and then go run 20 miles.”
Now working as a tax attorney in New York City, Wilson said balancing marathon training with a demanding career required discipline — often running early in the morning or late at night.
“I’m a 4 a.m. runner, a 10 p.m. runner,” he said. “You just find the time.”
Through the experience, he said, he developed a deeper appreciation for the sport’s inclusivity.
“You see people of all shapes, sizes and abilities out there,” Wilson said. “It’s not just for elite athletes. It’s for everybody.”
For now, Wilson is taking time to reflect on how far he’s come — from a difficult five-mile run during the pandemic to completing six of the most prestigious marathons in the world.
“I hope somebody reads this and gets inspired to get out and run,” he said.
