A New City man, who came back to life after having no oxygen to his brain for 35 minutes, is now training to run the New York City Marathon taking place next month.

Eduardo Illarraza was in the hospital 18 months ago after having a heart attack and stroke while attending Easter Sunday services at Gracepoint Gospel Fellowship. The cardiologist told him he was lucky to be alive, given that his heart stopped and his brain was without oxygen for 35 minutes.

Illarraza is running on a team that supports World Vision International, which helps children both here in the United States and abroad. Illarraza says that his wife, children and cardiologist will be at different points along the raceway on Nov. 6.