In a first, a man with Down syndrome crossed the finish line at the New York City Marathon over the weekend and scored a spot in the record books.

Jimmy Jenson, 48, took a little more than eight hours to run the 26.2 miles of the course on Sunday. In doing so, the Los Angeles resident became the first with the chromosomal disorder to complete the famed run, reports TODAY.

Jenson ran alongside his longtime friend, Jennifer Davis. The two first met 12 years ago through Best Buddies, which connects people with and without disabilities in one-to-one friendships.

In addition to helping him lose weight, Davis said running has boosted Jenson’s confidence.

“He’s become so much more outgoing,” Davis told TODAY about her friend who helped cheer along fellow runners as they pushed toward the marathon’s finish line.

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