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How to Finish a Marathon – 1968 Olympics in Mexico City

by 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)


Video thumbnail. Click to play
Tanzania’s John Stephen Ahkwari – Click To Play

Jimson Lee

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.
Jimson Lee
Jimson Lee
Jimson Lee

  • […] In many ways, this cleanse is like a marathon.  You know from the outset where the finish line is.  Ten days and 26.2 miles is a long way from square one.  Mentally, you know the only way to reach the end is to take the next step–you can’t just jump there.  This is both disconcerting and comforting.  On day 2, one step doesn’t seem to make up much ground.  Somehow, the steps start to add up and you find yourself at day 8.  The next step brings you much closer to the goal. […]

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

    Reply

    • 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

  • “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.

    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

    Reply

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    I am a former 200m/400m sprinter, a Masters Athlete and Coach, who has lived in Canada, US, Italy, and now resides 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.

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