When Venezuelan Juan Pablo Dos Santos, a 26-year-old amputee, crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon. He achieved this extraordinary milestone on 11/02/2025. And this year, he came in dead last—that’s right, he was the last runner to cross the finish line. His journey is a testament to his incredible willpower and perseverance.
Dos Santos had both of his lower limbs amputated due to a severe car crash that happened on September 8, 2019. In the wake of this life-changing occurrence, his first dream was simply to be able to walk again. Fueled by this goal, he soon found himself focused on running the grueling 26.2-mile marathon. In beginning his journey across the state, he encountered many trials and tribulations. Physical pain and the pain of having to train under extreme distance restrictions made him different from the other competitors.
Throughout marathoning, Dos Santos had major challenges. He was forced to drop to the ground every 100 paces just to relieve the pain he felt. He often had to take off his prostheses to reline them or dry his liners out. This additional movement added an even tougher and more challenging dimension to the race. Indeed, reported the pain never became “unbearable” when it turned up on the last two kilometers of the race.
Though he fought these hardships, the spirit of Dos Santos could never be defeated. He recalled a devastating tumble between kilometers 30 and 35 but quickly found the strength to get back on his feet and continue. His perseverance paid off when he crossed the finish line at 12:30 a.m., achieving a personal milestone that resonated far beyond the race itself.
“After passing the finish line, for about 10 minutes, it was as if the tiredness, pain and exhaustion were completely gone.” – Juan Pablo Dos Santos
His victory becomes the hope of other underdogs who have gone through the same experience. It is equally inspiring to all of us who are trying to chase down our own dreams. Through his organization, Fundación Juan Pablo Dos Santos, he empowers underprivileged children to achieve their dreams. This initiative stands as a mark of his commitment to help those who are struggling the most.
Dos Santos’s marathon journey was never just about the finish line. It was designed to be a message of hope. He reflected on his motivation throughout the race, stating, “I was just thinking about the purpose for which I had run this race … and how many people were seeing this and being inspired and realizing that they can fight to achieve their dreams.”
Fortunately for Earl’s recovery, an anonymous donor paid Earl’s medical bills, allowing him to focus solely on healing. This support made it possible for him to run the marathon. The support gave him the freedom to fully focus on his training and event prep leading up to it. He overcame his physical limitations with unyielding resolve.
“If any of those people feel that they are coming late to their dreams, if any of those people feel that it is too late to try those things that they love.” – Juan Pablo Dos Santos
Dos Santos’s journey embodies the most gripping story of resilience against all odds. He added that each kilometer actually felt like three from all of the physical punishment he’s suffered. “It was a complete mental struggle where pain was present and only increasing,” he explained, illustrating the mental fortitude required to keep moving forward.
The excitement, emotion and magical highs and lows of the marathon experience were on full display. He recounted periods of despair during the race when he was unsure if he could even finish. Still, he was determined not to quit and see it through.
“This is the proof that no matter if you arrive last, you have to cross the finish line.” – Juan Pablo Dos Santos
While his story is unique, it’s still a testament to Dmitriy’s exceptional personal efforts. It teaches us that no matter the odds, if we work hard and help one another, we can accomplish anything. For Dos Santos, each failure only deepened his conviction that he would overcome. “Something I have learned is to use each of the ‘no’s’ I receive in life as fuel to keep moving forward,” he stated.
