How to Finish a Marathon – 1968 Olympics in Mexico City

July 15, 2007 by Jimson Lee 16 Comments

In the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, Tanzanian runner John Stephen Ahkwari was the last runner in the marathon.

He came in about an hour and a half after the winner, practically carrying his leg, as it was so bloodied and bandaged.

Film Director Bud Greenspan asked him, “Why did you keep going?” He said, “You don’t understand. My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start a race, they sent me to finish it.”

Here is the video (duration 2min:19sec)

Tanzania’s John Stephen Ahkwari – Click To Play

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Jimson Lee

Coach & Founder at SpeedEndurance.com

I am a Masters Athlete and Coach currently based in London UK. My other projects include the Bud Winter Foundation, writer for the IAAF New Studies in Athletics Journal (NSA) and a member of the Track & Field Writers of America.

@speedendurance

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[…] pulled hamstring in 1992 Barcelona! However, that race did show us the importance of finishing in the Olympics, and not […]

[…] 2nd Gold medal with shoes) are followed right to the end showing the last finishers. The 1968 Marathon finish would have its fair share of heroics. Of course, we have Bob Hayes individual 100m victory over […]

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[…] the finish line, but I will go ahead and finish" I looked it up online – here is the story http://speedendurance.com/2007/07/15/how-to-finish-a-marathon-1968-olympics-in-mexico-city/ Tammy- I was so happy to log on and see you!!! I have missed you! No one can blame you for wanting […]

Ohh, that runner was great. But what was actual reason he completed race where there was no hope for winning anything?

Andrew Gills says:

August 15, 2012 at 6:19 pm

Because racing isn’t about winning. Sport isn’t about winning. It’s about achieving your own personal best with honour and dignity.

I think it’s more courageous to start a race knowing you will finish last than to start a race knowing you are only racing to win. I’ve known people who pull out when the going gets tough or when they are no longer in the top of the field. But the person who comes last always beats the person with a DNF behind their name.

Reply
- snichols says:
  
  July 25, 2013 at 10:36 am
  
  Well put. Check the records. He finished 57th, but there were 18 DNF’s in that race.
  
  Reply
Sonia says:

July 14, 2013 at 9:28 pm

He fell down at mile 18-19 and had injuries in on knee an shoulders

Reply

[…] to Mexico City next month? 2010-02-01 02:18:44 · Reply · View michellekrusiec: http://speedendurance.com/2007/07/15/how-to-finish-a-marathon-1968-olympics-in-mexico-city/ A revelatory moment. Thanks Dan Kwong. 2010-02-01 02:18:09 · Reply · View […]

“Pushing yourself to another level, beyond what you thought was posible”.

“When you want to give in, success is just around the corner”.

These are the words my father told me when I was a little boy. I take it with me to this day.

RIP Dad.

The real hero of hearts is Ahkwari.
But the real hero of logic is: Mamo Wolde
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamo_Wolde

Jimson Lee says:

February 20, 2011 at 11:10 pm

@Ben, you are absolutely correct. Wolde deserves credit for winning the Gold.

Reply

Jimson. It is an excellent idea to remember this case, but the Film Director was not Bud Greenspan. It was the mexican Alberto Isaac. This video comes from the original movie, named “Olimpiada en Mexico”. After its exhibtion, the movie was loosed and Filmoteca Nacional (an institution from Mexico) looked for the original negatives to make a restoration (I am not sure about the word in English). It was necessary 1 million dollars to get it again. This work was finished between 2005 and 2006.
Thanks

Jimson Lee says:

July 26, 2011 at 11:59 pm

@Arnulfo, yes, you are right, if you search YouTube, you can find the orignal film and footage.

Reply

[…] just recently heard the story of Tanzanian Olympic marathon running John Stephen Ahkwari. While competing in the 1968 marathon he fell early in the race and was injured, ending any hopes […]