University of Illinois alum Tatyana McFadden won her third consecutive Chicago Marathon Sunday in the women's wheelchair race, making her the first person to win three major marathons in a season.

"It really came down to a sprint," McFadden said. "I didn't even know what was happening. My muscle memory was there and I knew I needed to go. The crowd just took me forward. It was extremely tough."

Earlier this year McFadden won marathons in Boston and London. Chicago makes her the first athlete, either disabled and able-bodied, to win three marathons in a year.

Potentially furthering that record, McFadden plans to tackle the New York Marathon next.

McFadden credits her coach and teammates at U of I in Champaign with pushing her to succeed.