Americans are resilient people. Many have experience hardship in one sense or another (physically, mentally, emotionally), but the human spirit is powerful. Faced with the adversity of any kind, we’re able to lift ourselves up from hardship and overcome being the underdog. As the owner of The Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Bank of America, a company who strongly believes in human potential and will, is uniquely positioned to celebrate the resiliency of Americans, using three incredible runners who were able to persevere and triumph against all odds.

Growing up on the west side of Chicago, running a marathon was the furthest thing from Joe Clark’s mind. First selling, then using and abusing drugs, his life became a revolving door of incarceration. When Joe was released on parole he joined Back on My Feet—a nonprofit organization that uses the power of running to combat homelessness—simply because he wanted a new pair of shoes. But once he experienced the impact of running, there was no going back. To keep running meant to keep moving forward, to have a second chance. 26.2 miles in Chicago was just the beginning. By finishing his first marathon, he realized that if he puts his mind to it, he can accomplish anything.