I am standing 100 meters from the finish line. There are balloons in the air, people cheering, and a general feel of excitement. The first runners are coming home. As I stand along the side with friends and families, I watch a man make his last final dash for the clock. His face is tortured but he’s going to make it. Just putting one foot in front of the other. And then it happens. The cramp that hits his left thigh is visibly agonizing. Not only is he no longer moving, he’s barely standing. As the crowd roars their cheers of support and encouragement-and remind him the Dublin Marathon Finish banner is waving only a few strides away- he is painfully collapsing along the sidelines. The cramp does not cease. Soon there are trainers bringing in a wheelchair for him to sit in. He politely refuses. He is not going to quit. But after several minutes it becomes apparent he cannot walk. And as he is lowered into the chair his knee doesn’t bend. His leg is sticking out, oddly straight for a man that is sitting.
Later, hours later it seems, he is able to shakingly stand up and be supported across the finish line. He will beat himself up later for the time lost. But he made it 26.2 miles.
A few runners back a group of men come in, three together. It’s apparent they are at different points in their lives and their finish styles are each distinct from the other. But as one begins to go down- almost exactly where the runner cramped earlier- the fellow runner beginning to pick up speed, ready to sprint to the end, stops and grabs the falling man to help him up. The third man slowly coming from behind catches up to help support their falling comrade. Together the three walk the remaining 100 meters. One sacrifices his time. Another’s doesn’t matter-he just wants to say he completed it. The last man is only able to finish because of the other two.
This is the Dublin Marathon. Where sacrifices are made for others. Sacrifices are made for self. And the dream of winning- of completing- of running 26.2 miles becomes reality. On this day I stand along the sidelines guiding runners. Posing in their photos. Taking their pictures. Today my medal is not that of one who finishes the marathon. It is of one who supports those who do. Today I am happy just to engage in the atmosphere of the race. To share the excitement. To cheer for others who may one day cheer for me.
