Marath on is one of the most difficult races in track and field, at a little over 42 kilometers. To be aworld-class marathoner, you must run that distance in two and a half hours. But for some, completing amarathon race is a lifelong dream.
Jacqueline's dream of being a world-class run ner began when she was a child in Kenya. She soonrealized she had the talent and the willpower to compete. She also knew she would have to train full-time,which meant not being able to work to help support her family. But she was confident that she could bringhome prize money.
Jacqueline traveled to China to compete in the Zheng-Kai marathon knowing she had a good shot atwinning the race, but more importantly, the $10,000 prize that went with it. She was leading the women'sdivision when a male runner arrived at the water station. The man had trouble drinking water because abirth defect(缺陷) had left hı m without hands, and he struggled to drink from a plastic bottle. But anyassistance from fans or race officials would result in his disqualification. Jacqueline noticed the man andimmediately knew that he needed help. She grabbed a water bottle and helped him get the water his bodyneeded to complete the race.
Runner after runner passed Jacqueline. Her hopes of winning were getting lost in numerous runnersahead of her. With only 4 kilometers left in the race, and certain that the male runner would now finish,Jacqueline picked up her pace and finally finished second.
That day, Jacqueline missed out on first place, but she finished something more important: humanity.She return ed home with the smaller prize of second place, but to her family, she brought home somethingmuch more valuable to home: the right example.
