20 Hour Runner

From Time:
"Venezuelan Runner With Muscular Dystrophy Finishes Boston Marathon"

It took him just under 20 hours to complete the race Maickel Melamed, a Venezuelan college professor with muscular dystrophy, completed the 119th Boston Marathon early Tuesday morning in just under 20 hours. Melamed, 39, has completed marathons in Berlin, Chicago, New York and Tokyo, and he finished the 26.2-mile run down Boylston Street with a flock of supporters cheering him on and physically supporting him when he grew tired. They also counted in Spanish for every step he took.  Melamed told reporters after finishing the race that Monday’s marathon would be his last. He’s physically unable to run another after the toll on his body and weight loss. “It was tough, the wind, the rain, the distance, the cold, everything today was overcome,” Melamed said, reports CBS Boston. “For me I’m so grateful for Boston and to Boston this is an amazing city.” Melamed’s family took him to Boston when he was young for life-saving treatment at Boston Children’s Hospital, according to CBS Boston. He ran the marathon with supporters from the group VAMOS Boston to spread a message of peace, and will be presented with a finisher’s medal by Boston mayor Marty Walsh on Tuesday.

^ I saw his story on the local news and thought it was a great story. It may have took him 20 hours, but that just shows how determined he is. He could have easily given up many times (especially when you see that he was struggling at times in the video) but he kept with it until the very end. He has accomplished a lot in his life - he's a college professor - and now he can add the Boston Marathon and bringing more awareness to people with muscular dystrophy. ^

http://time.com/3830285/venezuelan-runner-muscular-dystrophy/