Boston Marathon 2013: Highlighting Competitors You Need to Know About

As one of the most pristine races in all of running, the 2013 Boston Marathon provides us with more than just your typical Olympic medalists.

For one, it's an opportunity to race with the best, but it's also an incredible challenge.

Throughout the field, there are obviously umpteen participants to follow. But it's the more unique ones that will garner more exposure as the marathon unfolds.

Gary Craig

Gary Craig is putting his body to the ultimate test. According to Bree Sison of WBZ-TV in Boston, Craig will be running in his second marathon in the span of one week:

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Craig ran 26.2 miles on the North Pole a mere 6 days ago. The temperature was -30 degrees. He had to wear four layers of heavy clothing to survive; and he still came back with frost bite on his nose.

Craig is one of only 40 people from around the world who completed the North Pole Marathon Tuesday.

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This is two things: First, it's insane, and second, it displays an incredible amount of mental toughness.

It's already difficult to run a marathon, let alone run 26.2 miles at the North Pole. Factor in Craig's immediate turnaround to the Boston Marathon, and that is quite impressive.

If there's a wild card capable of taking over the spotlight, Craig certainly has proven the ability after fighting through unimaginable conditions last week.

Josh Crary

Josh Crary is another great story entering this year's Boston Marathon. As reported by CBS Boston, Crary has been blind since age 14:

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“Life can be hard and challenging, but it’s important to be strong — but also vulnerable… and to reach out for help,” said the 25-year-old Crary, who will run his second Boston Marathon this month.

Those are the life lessons from Josh, who when he was just 14 doctors told him he had Chorodoremia – a disease that would rob him of his sight.

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Crary is the definition of inspiration and overcoming adversity to achieve great success.

And success isn't measured by wins and losses. It's the tenacity to compete despite his disease, which shows how much power the old saying "mind over matter" embodies.

He also has a blog you can check out at BostonBlindRunner.com.

Diane Nukuri-Johnson

Although Diane Nukuri-Johnson competed in the 2012 Summer Games, it's easy for her to get overlooked. She placed 31st in the marathon at the Olympics, but she does hold numerous records for her country Burundi.

She's also entering this race with plenty of confidence. In an article by Peter Gambaaccini of RunnersWorld.com, Nukuri-Johnson said she feels prepared for Boston:

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”I had really good workouts leading up to New York. I took a long break after the Olympics because I was kind of hurt” with that ailing hip, says Nukuri-Johnson. “I got back a little quicker than I thought I would, so that was a good sign for me.

“I think I can do really really well. I could surprise myself and other people. I’m so excited to hopefully be in the race [up front] and compete with everyone and see what happens. If it comes down to the last couple of miles and I’m in contact with other people, I have a chance.”

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Given her experience from the Olympics and her momentum leading into this contest, watch out for Nukuri-Johnson on Monday.