Growing up poor on the outskirts of Curitiba, Brazil, Marina G. worked as a housekeeper from the time she was 12 years old. Marina was married at 19 and had four children by the age of 31. After 12 years of marriage, her husband left her and she was forced to take care of her children and her ailing 82-year-old father.

Left to support her family, Marina struggled to send all four of her children to college and sacrificed her own education so that they could attend school. Marina began running marathons in 1991, using the cash prizes to support herself and her children.

In the past 13 years, Marina has won more than 500 trophies and medals and is considered one of the top eight runners in Brazil, though she is one of the oldest athletes in the sport.

Today, Marina is working toward a degree in physical education. "I want to encourage women like me to win, breakdown barriers and show everyone how much women can do!"