Thousands of runners wil hit the streets of Chicago this weekend for the 2018Chicago Marathon, many of them accomplishing a victory long before they cross the start and finish lines.

Here are some of your marathon hero stories:

Jeanette O'Laughlin

Jeanette O'Laughlin, an Elmhurst mom, will finally be able to fulfill her dream of being a Chicago Marathon runner after health struggles kept her off the starting line. In 2016 her chance to run was put on hold when she was unexpectedly diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. She spent the year going through surgeries and chemo, and was all set to run the following year. In 2017, her chance to run was once again put on hold when scans revealed she had spots on her left lung. She spent the year going through surgeries and treatment, and now is determined to run this year. Her sister Suzanne Staples will also be running the marathon. They plan to start together, run part of the way, but will probably finish at different times. More on her story here. 

Robert Arnold:

Robert Arnold is a Marathon Hero!!! Rob is running for American Brain Tumor Association’s Team Breakthrough. This is his 4th year in a row running Chicago for ABTA despite having two brain surgeries, six weeks of daily radiation, and 30-plus months of chemo since 2015. Rob is now in a clinical trial fighting for his life because of tumor recurrence this past year. Rob is a 16-year brain cancer warrior. He set a goal to run in Chicago 2015 just 6 months after his second awake brain surgery, because he says he needed a goal and something to look forward to. Running Chicago is now a tradition. Rob wasn’t a runner before this, and he also lost 65 pounds because of change in diet and training, which lowered his CV risk. Running has helped him get in the best shape of his life, which he believes has gotten him through treatment the last four years. Running helps manage side effects as well as gave him back control of his life. He’s running to raise funds for brain cancer research and patient education and says he runs for those warriors who can no longer run for themselves. Hoping others find inspiration because of his story. Check out his story here.

-Sherlyn Celone-Arnold

Brittany Goode

I've chosen to run for Advocate Health Care - Mental Health Services. It's a cause that's so important to me and is often underfunded and overlooked. September is Mental Health Awareness month and I appreciate any donation to reach my fundraising minimum! There are some great raffle prizes if you donate. You don't have to know me to support a good cause! 

Leesa Drake

Breast cancer survivor Leesa Drake ran her 99th marathon in 2017 in between chemo treatments. This year, she will run her 101st marathon at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Drake was diagnosed in May 2017. Since then, she has had surgeries, chemo, radiation, and finally breast reconstruction surgery in September - one month before the big race. She is running to raise money for the Lynn Sage Foundation which really focuses on breast cancer research. More on her story here. 

Melissa Buehler

Melissa Buehler is running for Recycled Rotts ( shelter for rottweilers and other neglected large mastiff breeds). To read more on her story or to support Recycled Rotts click here. 

-Elizabeth Buehler

My daughter, Melissa Buehler, is Running for Rottweilers 2018 through crowd rise. She is running to help support a local dog rescue, Recycled Rotts, in Oswego. Mom to three Rottweilers. Blu is a retired show dog, Baby is a rescued Rott and Otis is just a puppy but already in the show ring. They love their Grandma and always greet me with a wagging tail and would prefer to sit next to me or even on my lap. Please help support this beautiful breed! My grandogs and I thank you!

-Marilyn Berg Solis

Bob Howard

Bob Howard is running his eighth marathon at the age of 80. The former CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago is running to raise money for the group he spent much of his childhood growing up in. Howard turns 80 one week before the 2018 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. He calls the race a present to himself. More on his story here. 

Shannon Egan

I’m representing Jack’s Melanoma Fund to raise money for cancer research for my FIRST marathon ever! Please feel free to support me and this amazing charity! Click here for more. 

Holly Dean

Holly Dean Running with GLASA - Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association

-Sandy Jesty

Laura Plaisance

Laura Plaisance is running her first marathon as a St Jude Hero.

Robin Renee Haynes

Robin Renee Haynes is running as a St.Jude Hero.

Jude Mario Betancourt 

Jude Mario Betancourt is running for Team Salute Inc. 

Cortney Pulley

Cortney Pulley is running with two friends on Team Gray, in honor of her friend's son Gray and for The Ronald McDonald House. 

Amy McGoldrick and Rene Reynaldo

Amy McGoldrick is running because of her little nephew's illness. She's coming all the way from the country of Macedonia to run her home city's marathon. And Rene Reynaldo is raising money for Uptown nonprofit Cornerstone Community Outreach, which helps local homeless families and individuals to find shelter, get meals, and find permanent housing.

-Amy Zekas Reynaldo

Oscar Chavez

His goal for his 60th birthday and his first marathon! And his doing it for World Vision to bring clean water to the people in Africa! 

-Sara Chavez

Armstrong Gareth

Armstrong Gareth will be traveling over from Northern Ireland to run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon for Cancer Focus Northern Ireland Charity. "Really looking forward to my first trip to the USA and my 3rd Abbott World Marathon Majors," he said. 

Rich Hechler

Rich Hechler is running for St. Jude. 

-Carrie Rae 

Alyssa Hansen

My amazing sister in law Alyssa Hansen is running this marathon!! She's a native Chicago WARRIOR. She's overcome extremes like no other. She's running all day everyday with LUPUS. And she's running for Erika's Lighthouse to honor her late brother and raise awareness for teen mental heath. AND she's a top rate middle school teacher nominated for LifeChanger of the Year because her math students are inspired by her every day. She gets kids to like MATH. This is her first marathon, and she has an army of people cheering her on!!!! She's my hero!!!

-Kristin Noyes

Melissa Rose

Melissa Rose is running for PAWS Chicago!

-Linnea O'Neill

Andrea Boccard

Running for my husband / Crohn & Colitis with Team Challenge for Crohn's & Colitis!

Nancy Donohue Schuma

Nancy Donohue Schuma running for Team ALS for my husband! Could not be more proud!

-Sue Essick Pripusich 

Kelly Sprague

My daughter, Kelly Sprague, running in honor of my dad, her grampa who is battling Alzheimer’s. She is raising money for Alzheimer’s. I am so proud of her and the woman she has become. Loving, kind, selfless, and darn funny too!!

-Julie Sprague

Elizabeth Mondragon 

My awesome cousin Elizabeth Mondragon will be running for the 3rd time in a row representing Team RMHC (Ronald McDonald House Charities). Helping to keep families together while their child is hospitalized for little or no cost. Click here for more. 

-Tania Sotelo 

Rachel Hoffman

I’m running with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation!! I’m battling one of these conditions myself and I’m proud to represent the Foundation at the best race ever.

Katie Rodriguez

Katie Rodriguez is my hero for running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon for Smile Train in honor of her late brother, David and beautiful daughter Samantha. Having seen first hand the life changing effects of cleft repair surgery, Katie has fundraised well beyond her commitments to make sure that every child has the chance to smile.

Thank you Katie for all that you do for Smile Train Team Empower!

-Julie ST 

Kathleen Donovan Bullard

Kathleen Donovan Bullard is my hero for running the marathon because she’s celebrating a milestone birthday this year, and spearheaded this endeavor for three generations of us to do the 2018 Chicago Marathon together.....fundraising for Smile Train, because we are three generations of women who believe all smiles spread joy when shared! Lexie McCleary, Katie Rodriguez, and Kathleen Donovan Bullard-can’t wait to cross that finish line together!!

-Katie Rodriguez

Matt McGahhey

My hero is my husband Matt McGahhey is running with the "Windy City Angels" for our son that has Angelman Syndrome. #LetsCureAngelman

-Mary McGahhey

Dan

My #MarathonHero is my Uncle Dan. This year he will be running his 10th Chicago Marathon as part of the UPS for DownS Endurance Teams. He runs for his daughter Sarah who is active in a lot of the programs that benefit from the fundraising of the Angel Team athletes. Each year when I would call to congratulate him on the finish after tracking him from Florida he would say he was never doing it again. But each year he signs up to run again and now I get to cheer him on. A few years ago he told me that when the miles get long and his body starts to hurt he thinks of Sarah and all of the challenges she has had in her 19 years and will have in her future and it gives him the energy to push on. I can’t wait be inspired as I cheer him and the other Angel Team runners on again this year.

-Kate Sutton