BELLINGHAM - Nothing could derail Patrick Finney of Grapevine, Texas, from reaching his goal of completing 50 marathons in 50 states on Sunday, Sept. 25, at the Bellingham Bay Marathon - not even gusts of wind that created difficult running conditions.

"I'll be honest. This is one of the toughest marathons I've ran in my life," said an exhausted Finney, who completed the marathon in a time of 4 hours, 58 minutes, 11 seconds. "The wind completely zapped my energy. I was lucky that I finished under five hours."

The wind, however, proved to be one minor factor in a long line of larger barriers Finney has overcome in his life.

On New Year's Day in 1998, Finney woke up without movement in his legs. He later was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and had to retrain himself how to walk.

Finney defied doctors' recommendations to refrain from putting his body through strenuous activities, and after Sunday's run, he became the first person with M.S. to conquer running 50 marathons in 50 states. As Finney jogged his way to the finish line, spectators lined along the final stretch of the course began clapping and cheering loudly in respect of what Finney had accomplished, and he was mobbed by family and friends that made the trip to Bellingham.

"I am honored and blessed to have all the support I have received from my family and people in the community," Finney said. "Thank goodness I didn't give up. I just put one foot over the other, and that's what has gotten me through this mission I've completed in my life."