As Friday feel-good stories go, this will be hard to beat. A heroic father diagnosed with brain cancer won a marathon in Texas while pushing his daughter’s buggy.
By Declan Whooley
Imram Leon is just no ordinary runner. The 32 year-old was diagnosed with a Grade 2 Diffuse Astrocytoma in November 2010 shortly after his 30th birthday. Doctors then told him that at most he would live until he was 40.
He then decided he wanted to spend more time with his daughter Kiana, even when continuing with one of his favourite past times of running, by bringing her along on the road.
He completed his first half marathon in October last year, but on Saturday he really made people stand up and take notice when he came home first in the Gusher Marathon in Texas – while pushin his daughter in her pram. The remarkable feat was not only inspirational, it was completed in a most impressive time of three hours and seven minutes.
His modesty shone through when he wrote in his blog that the real winner was his daughter.
“Here sore, reflecting and grateful, I still can’t believe that I won a marathon. Well, I came in second behind Kiana,” he said.
A wonderful story that can’t but inspire.
Hat tip to Sarina Bellissimo
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
