Battling a brain tumor, Texas man crosses captures marathon title

Anybody who needs inspiration when they are nearing the end of a workout or have no energy left during a soccer game need look no further than Iram Leon. The 32-year-old finished first at the recent Gusher Marathon in Beaumont, Texas, and not only was he pushing his young daughter in a stroller with him, The Beaumont Enterprise reports he had to overcome another obstacle - brain cancer.

Running a marathon is an accomplishment for anybody, but that is especially the case for Leon. While the tumor on his brain affects memory, language skills and spatial orientation, it hasn't impacted his ability to run, something that was made abundantly clear when he crossed the finish line in a time of 3 hours, 7 minutes, 35 seconds. While Leon may not be sure what the future holds, he's making the most of what time he's got left.

"It can't be a disadvantage when it's what gets you going," he told the newspaper. "Every doctor's appointment [I ask], 'Can I keep running and am I still fit to raise a kid?'"

Anyone inspired to run a marathon by Leon's story will a join a growing number of people who are completing the 26.2-mile race. In 2010, nearly 2 million people ran either a half or full marathon, which is twice as many as in 2000, according to Discovery News.