In many major marathons, such as New York and London, the final runner is celebrated as an inspiration because they spend the longest time on the course—often battling injury, extreme exhaustion, or physical disabilities—yet refuse to quit.
: For the last runner, the race is rarely about competing with others; it’s about a personal victory over the desire to stop. Last Runner
: Similar to the Red Lantern in the Tour de France, the last runner in a marathon is sometimes treated with as much reverence as the winner. In many major marathons, such as New York
: A Venezuelan amputee who finished the race after more than 15 hours, stopping every 100 steps to adjust his prostheses. : A Venezuelan amputee who finished the race
: It is a tradition for race directors and spectators to stay at the finish line until the very last person crosses, sometimes hours after the official clock has stopped. Notable Examples
"I would be last, but I just wanted to finish." - WVU Health Sciences