Blog #2 Final Finishers who make the race great

Danielle Grimley walked on crutches for the last eight miles of the marathon. Credit: Adrienne Grunwald for The New York Times

I was never an elite runner. Every marathon I’ve run started with a goal, a time I hoped to hit, a number I thought would define success. But as race day approaches, that goal often changes. It becomes simpler: Just finish. Stay steady. Don’t quit.

Because 42.195 kilometers is a long way. No matter how well we train, anything can happen — a cramp, bad weather, a mental block, and months of effort can vanish in an instant.

Final Finishers reminded me of something we often overlook, it’s not the fastest runners who define the marathon. Yes, it’s thrilling to watch the elites glide through with perfect form and the latest innovations on their feet. They inspire us but they’re not the whole story.

While the spotlight follows the front of the pack, the soul of the marathon moves quietly behind it. It's the runners who keep going long after the crowds thin. The ones who push through pain, doubt, and exhaustion without cameras or cheers.

They’re not racing the clock.

They’re racing themselves.

And that’s what makes the marathon magical.

95% of runners aren’t chasing podiums. They’re chasing purpose.

And they’re the ones who make the race truly great.

angus