Touching finish line moment between elite runners shows the true spirit of racing

It’s the unexpected moments that happen mid-race that often give a stronger definition of what the sport of running is truly about. The story behind what happened in a December race in Spain (originally found on Love What Matters Facebook page) is a recent example of what many would consider to be the true spirit of racing.

Running a race in Burlada, Spain, runner Iván Fernández Anaya was getting closer to the finish line and looking like he was going to finish second behind Kenyan runner Abel Mutai who won bronze at the London Olympics. For spectators watching, it was clear that Mutai had a strong lead and that the second place runner would not be able to catch him.

But as the two runners neared the finish, Mutai slowed and pulled off to the side, mistakenly thinking he had made it to the end. Many runners in Anaya’s place would see that as an opportunity to blaze ahead and take the win.

What happened instead though was that Anaya caught up to Mutai, pointed out his mistake and used gestures to direct him to the finish. When Mutai realized his mistake, he ran to the finish and placed first.

Why didn’t Anaya take the lead? He explained that post race to photographer John M. Sweeney who captured the above photograph.

“But even if they had told me that winning would have earned me a place in the Spanish team for the European championships, I wouldn’t have done it either,” he said. “I also think that I have earned more of a name having done what I did than if I had won.”