The longest marathon in history lasted 54 years by Shizo Kanakuri

If running a marathon is one of the toughest sports challenges, then Shizo Kanakuri deserves to be called the "man of steel" in the marathon world. Kanakuri started running in 1912 and finished it amazingly 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 5 hours and 32 minutes later!

Born in a rural town on the island of Kyushu in 1891, Shizo was no stranger to long-distance running from an early age, often trekking nearly four miles to school each day. In fact, he set a world record by completing the marathon in 2 hours, 32 minutes and 45 seconds at a domestic event. This achievement made him one of the first two Japanese athletes to qualify for the Olympics.

In November 1911, 20-year-old Kanakuri decided to participate in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics . However, his journey to participate in the Stockholm Olympics was also extremely arduous - to raise funds for this trip, Kanakuri's classmates organized a nationwide campaign to raise 1,500 of the 1,800 yen that was needed. he needed, the rest was paid by his eldest brother. The journey itself took 18 grueling days by ship and train across the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Marathon runner from Tokyo High School. Kanakuri is the one wearing shirt number 51 on the right.

When he arrived in Stockholm, his physical condition was weakened and he struggled to adapt to the foreign environment. Not stopping there, the weather conditions when organizing the marathon were also extremely unfavorable - On July 14, 1912, the marathon began, it was held during a sweltering heat wave, the race was hot until reigning Olympic champion Johnny Hayes decried it as 'a disgrace to civilisation'. A runner, Francisco Lázaro, collapsed from heat exhaustion and tragically died, becoming the first fatality at the Olympics.

Kanakuri decided not to return to the track, but instead returned to his hotel and then Japan without informing the organizers. In the official race transcript, he was listed as missing and his race was not completed.

Kanakuri himself succumbed at the 16 mile mark, so he staggered off the track in a dazed, delirious state until he found himself in the garden of a resident's house and was given a drink. Fruit juice for energy. So embarrassed by his achievements, he returned to Japan without telling anyone, and his name was added to Sweden's list of missing persons for the next 50 years!

While Kanakuri's Olympic debut ended in disappointment, his marathon journey was just beginning. He went on to compete in the 1920 Olympics, finishing in 16th place and establishing the famous Hakone Ekiden marathon relay in Japan that has been held annually since 1920.

Fifty years later, Kanakuri's life and career continue, but the story of the marathon that didn't end in Stockholm is always forgotten. But his efforts in developing athletics in Japan are undeniable, and the "ghost" of the 1912 marathon still haunts him. Things began to change in 1967 when a Swedish television station accidentally discovered Kanakuri's strange story and decided to invite him back to Stockholm to "complete" his marathon . In 1967, at the age of 76, Shizo Kanakuri accepted the invitation and took to the track again to complete the remainder of the race he had abandoned in 1912.

The most amazing thing is that in 1967 at the age of 76, Kanakuri had the opportunity to 'complete' his marathon in Stockholm when Swedish television brought him back to finish the race after a Swedish reporter discovered he was working as a geography teacher in southern Japan. As soon as he arrived in Sweden, he eagerly 'jumped off the plane' and 'jogged around the runway' to warm his legs and 'show intense vitality', according to AP news agency .

On March 20, 1967, Mr. Kanukari completed the marathon, with an official time of 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes, 20.3 seconds - a "longest" marathon record that no one can break. ! He said: 'It's been a long trip. Along the way, I got married, had six children and 10 grandchildren' . Kanakuri passed away on November 13, 1983 in his hometown of Tamana, Kumamoto Prefecture, at the age of 92.

Shizo Kanakuri's story proves that it is never too late to complete a process. He is remembered not only as an athlete with nerves of steel but also as a symbol of undying desire and desire. Kanakuri's life and the historic journey he went through are a source of endless inspiration for many generations, demonstrating that goals and dreams can be achieved despite challenges and time.