Jacqueline Nyetipei Kiplimo did something that stunned the world during the 2010 Zheng-Kai Marathon when she witnessed a disabled competitor struggling to drink water who was a double amputee.
Instead of seeing her moment to run ahead of this struggling athelete, she ran along side of him from the 6.2 mile mark to the 23 mile mark (10km mark to the 38km mark), helping him drink water at all of the watering stations.
The aide that she so compassionately provided her fellow competitor slowed her run time down and caused her to lose her first place position and place 2nd in the race — costing her the win and the $10,000 cash prize.
Jacqueline Nyetipei Kiplimo showed the world that day that to her, being compassionate and helping one another was more important than winning a race that she had been preparing for her entire life.
Now this is what a true leader looks like, one that never leaves someone disadvantaged behind.
She lost and came second. But humanity won
Kenyan runner passes water to a handicapped runner. This slowed her. She lost and came second. But humanity won.
