Man With Muscular Dystrophy Finishes Chicago Marathon

It took Maickel Melamed 16 hours and 46 minutes to complete the race.

Early on Monday morning, the last of over 39,000 participants in the Chicago Marathon crossed the finish line, as 38-year-old Maickel Melamed clocked 16 hours and 46 minutes to the cheers of about 100 onlookers surrounding him.

Melamed, who has muscular dystrophy, wore bib number 48930. He covered the 26.2-mile course under his own power, his courageous effort serving as an inspiration for many.

“My message is: If you dream it, make it happen. Your life is the most beautiful thing that could happen to you. Make the best with that, and share the best of that,” he said after crossing the finish line at Grant Park. “We come here to share. We come here to make a team. We come here to construct the best world that the children — our children — deserve.”

For More: Associated Press and NBC 5 Chicago