Obstacles are meant to be overcome. We do it every day, in our own small ways. This story shows the majesty, beauty and strength in takes to literally run through those obstacles and into the loving arms of family.

Wakana Ueda followed the sounds of applause, of chanting and of her mother’s voice as she crossed the finish line of the Honolulu Marathon on December 11.

The blind, 11-year-old girl from Toyota City, Japan, had tears in her eyes as she reunited with her family after 14 hours, 3 minutes and 12 seconds since the start of the race, Hawaii News Now reports.

The girl’s first marathon was not without its difficulties: the physical strains of the course almost derailed her at several points - but determination and encouragement from her team carried her through the finish line strung with flower petals.

Source: Daily News