Last month we introduced the idea of presenting a special award to the runner who finishes last in a race. Many of you said you liked the idea. You will also like the way the story unfolded.
My friend Chuck read the Final Finisher Award, and sent me a message. He knew the woman who had finished last in the race I was writing about. He knew she had overcome multiple challenges on her way to running 13.1 miles that day. He knew she was on the verge of moving across the country to start a new job. He suggested that we actually present her with an award-soon! Before she moved.
In less than 48 hours, it came together. We huddled with the running club director over a beer, and she loved the idea. A certificate was designed and framed. A copy of John Bingham's The Courage to Start was rush-ordered from Amazon. The date, time, and place were set.
On September 30, Stacey Bray reported for her beginning runners' class, to say good-bye before moving. We surprised her with the first-ever Final Finisher's Award, surrounded by her new running buddies. After the event, Stacey shared a little about the journey that had brought her there. A year ago, her best friend committed suicide. In the process of recovering from her loss, Stacey decided to "choose life." She stopped smoking. Lost weight. And started running. She started entering shorter races, then registered for her first half marathon.
On October 2, Stacey ran the all-women's Diva Day 5K. She wore a tiara. Her mom walked the event and, after her own finish, Stacey walked her across the line. The next morning she drove out of town and headed across the country to start a new job, and to write a new chapter for the story of "choosing life."
Meanwhile, back in Missoula, the Final Finisher Award was published in the October issue of our running club newsletter. The club director wants to provide the option of such an award to race directors for any race in our series. My friend Chuck says the idea "has legs" (a serious compliment from a fellow runner).
Without enthusiastic response to the idea, without a friend who connected the dots and pushed for action, without the power of synergy--the Final Finisher Award was nothing more than material for weekly reflection. Here and gone. With those added ingredients, the seed of an idea is on its way to becoming a tradition, celebrating:
The Courage to Start.
The Persistence to continue.
The Commitment to finish.
