The Chappel family of St. Joseph Missouri can sure run marathons. Ann Marie Chappel, a 32 year old mom, won the Lincoln, Nebraska marathon by more than nine minutes. She has run three marathons and won the all. She has also qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials next January. Her husband Jed, ran his first ever marathon and finished in second in the men’s division. The fact they could even run their marathons were miracles.

I read up on their story in the Lincoln Journal Star, and Jed felt some cramping while driving from home to Lincoln and wasn’t even sure he’d be able to start the race, let alone finish the race near the top. He had to push his thumb into his calf muscle.

Ann Marie, was the defending champion of this race, and ran with an achy achilles tendon. She also won a marathon in Kansas City.