Finish the Race
John Stephen Akhwari represented Tanzania in the men’s marathon at the Mexico Olympics of 1968. The event was won by Mamo Wolde of Ethiopia but it Akhwari who will be forever remembered in this race. I should, to be fair, point out that Akhwari came last!
During the race, Akhwari suffered severe cramps in his legs; however worse was to befall him. While jockeying for position he fell. Akhwari hit the ground, gashing his knee and also causing a dislocation. He also smashed his shoulder against the pavement. Most observers, seeing his injuries, assumed he would pull out and go to hospital. Instead, he received medical attention and returned to the track to continue his race.
Now, out of a total of seventy-five runners, eighteen had already dropped out, Akhwari carried on despite his physical condition. He had clearly no chance of either winning or even securing a decent time for the race. By the time he reached the stadium, he was limping and the bandage around his leg was flapping in the breeze. The medals had already been awarded and the winners had been given their medals. However, and no doubt to his astonishment, the crowd had remained and, as one, all stood up and clapped this man across the finish line.
He was asked why he'd carried on, and his response has gone down in sporting history. “My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race,” he said. “They sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race.”
Akhwari will be forever remembered for his courage and determination, ideals we can all be inspired by. Life is a marathon and a marathon of an unknown distance as we run our course. Akhwari had his cramps; we have our trials and tests, never nice and somewhat painful. His accident could, I suppose, symbolise our presumed failures in life. Now here’s the thing, when setbacks or failures seem overwhelming and when others might expect us to give up-GET BACK UP!
Do the unexpected, do the thing people will remember you for. KEEP GOING AND FINISH THE RACE. Your determination, your courage and your curiosity will take you across the line. Medals are nice, certificates too but these are mere bits of metal and paper. It is your sheer determination that will get you over the line NOT your ‘best time’. Go at your own pace and finish well. At the end you will be all the stronger and all the wiser too.
When people recall the 1968 men’s marathon, no one remembers the winner, they ALL remember John Akhwari.
Cristóir Csorba 28th September 2023
