THE POWER OF DETERMINATION

THIS year's Austin Marathon witnessed a dramatic episode that will not only become a legend for the competition for years to come but is a prove to how the power of a determined person could fire one to achieving great success. 

Hyvon Ngetich falls.. Photo courtesy MailOnline

 The incident which happened in Texas, involved a Kenyan marathon athlete, 29 year old Hyvon Ngetich, who from the onset of the race was in a pole position to win the 2015 crown.

However, with just 50 metres to the finish line, she collapsed. Hyvon Ngetich had to finish the race by crawling, on both hands and knees, to the end , refusing the wheelchair given her. She ended up taking the third (3rd) spot.

Astonished by her sheer determination and display, John Conley, the Race Director decided to increase her prize money to be at par with the first runner up. 

'When she came around the corner on her hands and knees, I have never, in 43 years of being involved in this sport, seen a finish like that,' Conley said .

'You have ran the bravest race and crawled the bravest crawl I have ever seen in my life…You have earned much honour, and I am going to adjust your prize money, so you can get the prize money you would have gotten if you were second.'

Hyvon Ngetich being helped by medics

Speaking on BBC Network Africa a day after the race, Hyvon claimed she couldn’t recall what happened. All she remembered was her falling. How she ended the race is lost on her.

She added that, she saw what transpired –and indeed happened to her on the television.

Her success proves how, with determination all things could be achieved. Some in her situation might have given up, opted for the wheelchair and gone home to rue their loss, knowing they could have done something about it.

Training, perhaps all year and to see all your efforts come to nothing 50 metres to end of your dream would be such a pain. And I’m sure Hyvon Ngetich realized that and spurred on to the end.