An interesting story that will teach you to win over every aspect of life

Zoe had multiple sclerosis, a degenerative disease, which made it difficult for her to walk. Her only exercise was walking from her apartment to the store to buy her groceries. Gradually, however, she started feeling restricted, and felt that she needed a goal, a dream to make life truly worth-while. Finally she decided to participate in the New York marathon.

In 1988, when Zoe ran her first marathon in about 20 hours, Grete Waitz, a famous Norwegian runner, won the marathon for the ninth time. Five years later, Zoe met Grete for the first time. What surprised her was that Grete knew who she was. Grete expressed her admiration for someone who had the grit to stay on the course for twenty hours.

The New York marathon was just a few days away and Grete Waitz asked Zoe who would be there to record her finish. Zoe told her that no one waited for her. She simply telephoned her finishing time to the officials and collected her finisher’s medal later.

When Grete heard this, she said she would be honoured to be the person waiting to honour such determination. Early in the morning on the day following the start of the New York Marathon, Grete Waitz arrived at the finish line only to be told that Zoe, walking slowly and painfully, would take at least another hour. There was also no finisher’s medal for Zoe this time as someone had stolen the case of medals.

On hearing this, Grete ran to her hotel room and woke her husband who had also taken part in the New York Marathon. She told him she needed his medal for someone who deserved it more than he did.

With the medal in hand, Grete waited for Zoe’s arrival. Zoe, making the final turn, saw the 41.9 km marker and two people holding tape across the finish line. For the first time Zoe experienced the race no differently from the winner. As Zoe breasted the tape and crossed the finish line, Grete placed the medal around her neck.

Grete and Zoe showed the world that the race belongs not only to the swift and strong, but also to those who have the courage to keep on running.