A Chicago runner who has captured hearts online will now have more time to complete his ambitious running journey in the U.S.
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Joabe Barbosa, a Brazilian graduate student, made headlines when he ran the Life Time Spring Half Marathon dressed in a bumblebee costume this past Sunday.
Barbosa is on an extraordinary mission to run approximately 4,000 miles, covering the streets of all 77 neighborhoods in Chicago.
His inspiring endeavor faced an uncertain future as his visa was set to expire in June, potentially derailing his unique challenge.
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However, his visa was to expire in June, which would have cut his mission short.
But it was extended so he can continue his education at Roosevelt University.
Born in Brazil and raised in England, Barbosa went to college in Kentucky on a sports scholarship before moving to the Windy City a few years ago to pursue his doctorate in clinical psychology.
Barbosa often uses public transportation to travel to neighborhoods, running on average 10 miles a day, six days a week regardless of the weather.
Once the run is complete, he plans on submitting his accomplishment for official Guinness World Record recognition and maybe even take his run every street effort to other cities.
In January, Barbosa told ABC7 he doesn’t really like running, but started it as rehab after surviving a life-threatening mountaineering accident in March of last year that left him with frostbite and hypothermia.
His doctor told him he needed to get his blood flowing, so since he couldn’t play his favorite soccer every day, he took to the lakefront trails.
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