'I was almost the marathon world champion'

On the eve of the World Athletics Championships in Beijing, Adharanand Finn hears the remarkable story of Kenya’s Simon Biwott, who came second in the marathon in 2001, in the closest finish in world championship history

It was a warm August evening in Edmonton, Canada. People were standing out in the streets in shorts and T-shirts, watching the empty road, waiting for the runners to come by. Helicopters churned in the sky, not far away. The world’s television cameras zoomed in on the two leaders. Side by side they ran, eyes fixed ahead, an Ethiopian and a Kenyan. It was a familiar story.

“This is the Red Socks against the Yankies,” the NBC commentator enthused. “Whichever sport you like, pick the biggest battle you can. This is it.” Kenya versus Ethiopia. The two kings of the most accessible, most universal sport in the world: long-distance running.

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from Health & wellbeing | The Guardian http://ift.tt/1Lo8hYq
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