Marathon
(No. 311)
Amongst sports events, the marathon holds a special place because of its unique test of endurance and mental resilience.
Running 42 kms on the trot, is no joke and the sport, in its participants, showcases the finest of talent out there.
In this challenging sport, Eliud Kipchoge currently holds the world record for completing a marathon in the fastest time. He clocked 2:01:09 hours for his effort in the Berlin Marathon in 2022.
Shizo Kanakuri is yet another star in the world of marathon and unlike Kipchoge his distinction is unique.
Kanakuri finished a marathon in 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes, and 20.3 seconds.
Kanakuri represented Japan at the 1912 Olympics at Sweden. Owing to combination of factors that ate into his time required to prepare, having to attend to a sick team mate and the intense heat on the day of the race, he collapsed midway and was tended to by a Swedish family.
Kanakuri recovered under their care but feeling embarrassed at his failure, he snuck back to Japan without informing the race officials of his departure.
Technically, he had not yet completed the race.
In 1967, someone at the Swedish Television investigated this story, contacted Kanakuri in Japan and asked him if he would complete the race.
He agreed and 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes, and 20.3 seconds and one wife, 6 children and 10 grandchildren later, Kanakuri's marathon journey was complete.
While the story is both bizarre and unique, it drives home, at least for me, an important point.
And that is in that "unknowns" who helped bring this weird saga to its logical conclusion.
The unknown Swedish family who nursed Kanakuri to health.
The unknown person at Swedish Television who pursued the story and contacted Kanakuri.
There is no record of who these people are.
As we live out our lives, there are innumerable "unknowns'" in our lives who have helped us reach where we are, who have helped us be who we are.
Do we acknowledge them for their contribution ?
We also have the opportunity to be that "unknown", for someone to help them reach where they ought to be, to help them be who they ought to be.
Do we acknowledge this unique ability we have ?
As the year draws to a close, maybe it is time to take a second (or more) to acknowledge all those 'unknowns" in our lives.
And resolve to be that "unknown " in many others' lives.
We could all do with a bit of help and help others in the marathon of Life.
Image : Kanakuri at the finish line in 1967
Image Credit : amusingplanet
#mindset #thoughts #gratitude #thankful #acknowledgment #opportunity
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