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Sacrificing a victory to help someone else in need.
In 2010, Kenyan marathon runner Jacqueline Nyetipei Kiplimo entered the Zhenkai marathon in China, in top shape, ready to win that race and its $10,000 prize money.
Far into the race, she was winning the women's division, when she encountered a man struggling to continue because of dehydration.
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From a birth defect, he had no hands, and plastic bottles were too slippery for him to hold.
If he got help from fans or officials he would be disqualified. So, Jacqueline took a water bottle and held it for him to get the fluid he desperately needed.
Then she ran alongside of him holding the bottle and helped him sip from it, as her competition began catching up to and passing her.
With just 4 kilometers (2.49 miles) left, and assured her new running partner would now safely finish the race, she turned on the speed.
But it was too late. Even after passing most of her competition, Jacqueline finished second.
While she did not win the race, she did win a greater prize, that of a humanitarian. And 13-years-later the sports world continues to celebrate Jacqueline's triumph of spirit.
Editor's Note:
Jacqueline later told Daily Sport, "I do not regret my actions. Imagine if I had not assisted him. What would have happened? Sometimes, we need to help out even when competing. Money is not everything."
To learn more passiton.com/passiton-blog/185-runner-demonstrates-what-really-matters-in-life, and facebook.com/jacqueline.kiplimo/.
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