Boston Marathon 20 Hours: Man With Muscular Dystrophy Completes Race

Maickel Melamed, a man with muscular dystrophy, completed the Boston Marathon this week 20 hours after he started, struggling through the cold wind and rain to send a message of hope and strength to the city.

"Today we conquer the impossible, today more than ever everything is possible," the 39-year-old from Venezuela tweeted in Spanish just before dawn on Tuesday. "Thanks to all."

Hoy conquistamos un imposible, hoy mas que nunca #SomosPosible Gracias a todos. #VAMOSBoston

— Maickel Melamed (@maickelmelamed) April 21, 2015

Melamed was the last person to finish the historic 26.2-mile race, and was greeted by Mayor Marty Walsh and a crowd of cheering supporters when he crossed the finish line.

"His story is truly one of inspiration," Walsh said after presenting Melamed with a medal, WCVB-TV reported.

"The message here is that love is so much stronger than death," Melamed told reporters, alluding to the bombings of 2013 that killed three. "It was an honor to the run the streets of this city."

"I sent a message to Boston. Boston is still strong," he said.

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