One of the last people to finish the New York City Marathon has an amazing story

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Runners cross the Verrazano-Narrows bridge at the beginning of the race.

After a spinal surgery in September left her suffering from opiate withdrawal and contemplating suicide, Saskia van Waaijenburg focused on completing the New York City Marathon to help her recover. 

This weekend, a little over a month after her surgery, van Waaijenburg achieved her goal, as one of the final people to cross the finish line in the 2015 New York City Marathon. 

Here's a video of her crossing the finish line. Even though the marathon technically ends at 7:30 p.m., race staff was still there to cheer on the final finishers, including van Waaijenburg. Her boyfriend, who also ran the race, was there cheering too. 

The video included a caption from van Waaijenburg, which explained her difficult journey to get to the finish line. 

Here's a portion of her emotional story. You can read it in full here. 

On the 26 September 2015, my world changed as I underwent spinal surgery. Coming out of surgery has been life changing. Prior, I had been in hospital for debilitating nerve pain. After surgery I stopped my pain medication as I no longer required it. I experienced opiate withdrawals in which I, a normally incredibly positive person, suffered suicidal thoughts. I had to be watched and cared for by my 80-year-old mother during the day and my boyfriend at night.

There was total blackness in my mind during that time and when there were glimmers of me coming through the withdrawals, I focused on the marathon entry I already had.

Completing a marathon has been on my bucket list for some time and I wanted that to be the greatest marathon - New York. I had permission from all the health agencies that have been there throughout my recovery. I know it wasn't a record, but I would never do that even without surgery. Life is about making the most of what you've got, and 'I got this!' I wanted my students to realize there is no reason not to try.

 The video of van Waaijenburg's finish was also shared on the TCS New York City Marathon Facebook page.

"We stopped and cheered for her in Brooklyn," wrote one commenter. "I've been thinking of her all day and was hoping she'd finish!!! YAY!"

There were also many comments from people who had suffered similar injuries or other setbacks, but were inspired by van Waaijenburg's determination. 

"You are amazing ... I also recently had a motorcycle accident and have been on pain meds and going to PT," wrote another commenter. "But seeing your story, you crossing the finish line. It gave me that spark back." 

Completing the course in just 2:24:25, Mary Keitany of Kenya was the pro women's winner at Sunday's race.

But hours later, van Waaijenburg's incredible finish proved that, for her, the New York City Marathon was about more than just speed. 

For her, it was about "making the most of what you've got."