People around the world compete in all types of competitions, with running being one of the most popular.
And of course, every runner competing in a race only has one goal in mind – and that is to win.
Winning the race requires a lot of time and effort on the part of the athlete.
They have to train for months in order to build their stamina, endurance, and willpower.
It also prepares their body and mind for the arduous tasks ahead. The training may be difficult, but the results will be worth it.
For a young athlete named Madeline Adams, finishing the race and trying to win was her goal.
Madeline is a Boston College runner who competed in the ACC Women’s Cross Country Championship.
It was a very important race for the Boston College runner. She worked hard on this for months and she wished to take home the award.
On the day of the race, Madeline was excited and prepared to compete among other runners.
Everyone deserves to win the race. They all worked hard for them to get where they are today.
With their hair pulled back, their shoelaces tied, and their determination strong, they started the race.
Madeline started out strong, however, not everything went to plan.
As she was approaching the finish line, she felt her body weaken.
She was so close and her mind was pushing herself to keep it going, however, her body was giving out on her.
The next thing she knew she collapsed in the middle of the race.
“I was running the race of my life. I was doing incredibly well. I was coming up that hill (to the finish line), I started to feel really fatigued. All of a sudden, I get this wave that comes over me and my legs just truly gave out from underneath me. I had no control.
I really don’t remember falling, I remember being on the ground and being like, ‘why am I on the ground? Get up.’” Madeline said in an interview with CBS Boston.
Madeline pushed herself to get up, but to no avail. Her body was too tired and spent from running the long race.
It was heartbreaking to see other runners pass her by when she was only a few steps from the finish line.
But one runner couldn’t bear to see a fellow runner not cross the finish line.
Evie Tate from Clemson saw Madeline on the ground and she couldn’t bear to see her not finish the race.
She knew Madeline needed help, so without second thoughts, she pulled Madeline up and helped her stand up. But Madeline’s dead weight was too much for her.
Luckily, another runner named Rachel Pease from Louisville came to help the two.
The crowd cheered in joy at the display of sportsmanship in front of them.
It was inspiring to see two runners help another runner instead of winning the race.
Sadly, Madeline did not cross the finish line since she was taken out of the field to be treated by the medical staff.
However, it didn’t dishearten the college athlete.
In fact, she was grateful and inspired by the kind actions of her fellow runners.
“The great part that comes out of this is there are two amazing girls that helped me, who are completely selfless and just amazing people with amazing character,” Madeline continued.
Wasn’t this an incredible show of sportsmanship? You can watch the inspiring moment for yourself in the video below!
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