Bank of America Chicago Marathon Hero: Runner to Celebrate 6-Year Survival Anniversary While Running Race

"I’m stronger now than I was before my accident, and my running has played a major role in that," she said.

NOTE: NBC 5 will offer complete live coverage of the 2017 race beginning at 7 a.m. CT online and on TV. The race can be streamed live from around world on the NBC Chicago app, which will also offer a live stream of the finish line from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Click here for more. 

First-time marathon runner Abby Schmeling and the Bank of America Chicago Marathon are both celebrating incredible anniversaries this year.

On the first weekend of October, race organizers will commemorate the 40th year of the Chicago race. The same weekend, Schmeling marks her six-year survival anniversary.

On Oct. 6, 2011, Schmeling was biking to work when a delivery truck struck her at Illinois Street and Lower Michigan Avenue.

Her injuries included a lacerated liver, ruptured spleen, two punctured lungs and broken bones. It prompted a one-month stay at Northwestern Hospital and two emergency surgeries. From multiple infections to a three-month recovery, Schmeling has come a long way.

As part of her recovery, Schmeling began to train for a 5K race and has gone on to run two half-marathons. Her next goal is to run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Oct. 8.

Schmeling says her health and survival inspire her to run.

"I’m stronger now than I was before my accident, and my running has played a major role in that," she said.

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