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Wheeled Fort Lee Athlete Wins New Jersey Marathon

FORT LEE, N.J. — Maria Bournias of Fort Lee won the wheeled athlete division of the 2017 Novo Nordisk New Jersey Marathon & Half Marathon presented by LifeTime Fitness on Sunday.

Fort Lee's Maria Bournias at the marathon.

Fort Lee's Maria Bournias at the marathon.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Maria Bournias, 40 of Fort Lee.

Maria Bournias, 40 of Fort Lee.

Photo Credit: Maria Bournias
Bournias represents her family's restaurant at the Run the Palisades 10K last year.

Bournias represents her family's restaurant at the Run the Palisades 10K last year.

Photo Credit: Maria Bournias

The 40-year-old finished in 3:31:54. Her first marathon was six years ago with the Marine Corps Marathon. 

Bournias' family owns Brownstone Pancake Factory in Edgewater and Jersey City.

Born with Spina Bifida, Bournias became an avid handcyclist in 2012, seeking to improve her health and strengthen her body. She has since completed 28 marathons with a goal of getting to 58, the birthday her mother never made it to before she died.

When Bournias isn’t handcycling, she is also a competitive para-rower for Row New York and has medaled internationally, as well as at several east coast regattas. 

She is also a Steering Committee founding member of the New Jersey Disability Pride Parade, and is actively involved in the disability community creating change as a disability advocate. 

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