In the ‘68 Summer Olympics, held in Mexico City, the most notable runner in the Men’s Marathon was not the one taking home the gold. It was the one finishing dead last.
His name is John Stephen Akhwari. He’s from Tanzania.
He was just short of the half-way point in the 26 mile race when he and another runner collided. Akhwari took a bad fall, dislocating his knee and separating his shoulder.
Everyone expected him to quit. Instead, he bandaged his leg and hobbled back to the track, resuming his run at the proverbial snail’s pace.
More than an hour after the winner had taken the prize, Akhwari finally entered the stadium, limping but still moving forward. Only a small crowd remained in the stands to see him cross the finish line. And, of course, they cheered.
Later, when reporters asked him why he didn’t quit, his answer made headlines:
“My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race; they sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race.”
This is the message we hear throughout the New Testament. God didn’t call you to ministry so that you could quit when life gets hard. He called you keep on course to the very end. Even after you stumble. Even when you look like a straggler. Even if there’s no one around to notice you’re still in the race. Just keep running.
Also notable about that day. According to the books, John Akhwari came in 57th place. Last place.
That is, he was last to finish.
Seventy-five runners started the race that day. Eighteen of them, for whatever reason, chose not to go the distance. They quit somewhere along the way. Does anyone wonder what their story is? Probably not.
But John Stephen’s story can inspire us all.
As for you and me, today is just one more day in the marathon we’re called to run. More than a few of us might feel a little fragile and somewhat fatigued, but let’s not turn back.
Somewhere in the distance the finish line waits.
Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
© 2025. This memo first appeared at Preaching Library.
