From Olympic Glory to Unforeseen Delays: A Marathon of a Lifetime

While Ethiopian runner Tamirat Tola currently holds the Olympic marathon record, clocking in at 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 26 seconds at the 2024 Paris Games, the story of Shizo Kanakuri, a Japanese marathoner, offers a stark contrast. Kanakuri’s marathon journey spanned nearly 55 years, a testament to unforeseen circumstances and the enduring spirit of the Olympic Games.

Early Promise and National Pride

Born in Taman, Japan, in the late 19th century, Shizo Kanakuri’s path to athletics was paved with necessity. In an era where long-distance running was not a pastime for the wealthy, kanakuri’s daily six-kilometer trek to school served as his training ground. His dedication bore fruit when, at the age of 20, he secured a spot in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, showcasing exceptional talent and national pride.

the stockholm Dream and Unexpected Obstacles

Kanakuri’s initial selection for the Olympics was shrouded in controversy. While he clocked an notable time of 2 hours, 32 minutes, and 45 seconds during the national trials—nearly seven minutes faster than the then-world record—scrutiny revealed that the course was approximately two kilometers shorter than the official marathon distance. Despite this setback, his talent was undeniable, and he secured his place on the Olympic team.

Financial constraints threatened to derail Kanakuri’s Olympic aspirations. The Japanese authorities initially declined to fund the athletes’ travel, but support from classmates and relatives ensured his participation. The journey to Stockholm, however, proved arduous, involving a lengthy sea voyage and train journey, ultimately taking 18 days instead of the planned 14, disrupting his acclimatization and preparation.

A Race Interrupted: Illness and Disappearance

Upon arriving in Stockholm, Kanakuri faced a series of unfortunate events. he suffered severe intestinal issues due to unfamiliar food, and his coach was hospitalized with tuberculosis. Despite these challenges, he started the marathon but collapsed midway through the race due to heatstroke and exhaustion. Dazed and disoriented, he was cared for by a local family. Overcome with shame and confusion, Kanakuri quietly returned to Japan without informing race officials, leading to his official classification as “missing.”

A 55-Year Detour and a Formal Finish

For decades, Kanakuri’s disappearance remained a mystery. Though, in 1967, Swedish authorities located him and invited him back to complete the race. At the age of 76, Kanakuri accepted the invitation, finally crossing the finish line with an official time of 54 years, 8 months, 32 days, 20 minutes and 3 seconds. This symbolic act transformed a tale of Olympic disappointment into a heartwarming story of perseverance and closure.

It was a long trip. Along the way, I got married, had six children, and 10 grandchildren.
Shizo Kanakuri, upon completing the race in 1967

Legacy and Inspiration

Shizo Kanakuri’s story transcends mere athletic achievement.It embodies the unpredictable nature of life and the enduring power of the human spirit. His marathon journey, marked by both setbacks and ultimate completion, serves as an inspiration to athletes and individuals alike, reminding us that even the longest journeys can reach a fulfilling conclusion.

The Stockholm Heatwave and a Disappearing Athlete

The 1912 Stockholm Olympics are remembered for many things, but one peculiar incident stands out: the disappearance of Japanese marathon runner, Sidzo Kanakuri. The marathon, held in scorching 30-degree Celsius heat, proved brutal. The extreme conditions led to widespread exhaustion and dehydration among competitors, with nearly half the field failing to finish.

Kanakuri,despite meticulous preparation,succumbed to the heat around the 33-kilometer mark. His water supply depleted, and with no support system available for athletes along the course – a stark contrast to today’s races where hydration stations are commonplace – he sought refuge in a nearby farmhouse. Overwhelmed by fatigue and dehydration,he lost consciousness.

He awoke hours later, consumed by shame and the belief that he had failed his nation. Instead of rejoining the race,Kanakuri retreated to his hotel and promptly returned to Japan. Lost in the chaos of numerous dropouts,olympic officials didn’t even register his absence.

A Runner’s Regret: The Weight of Unfinished Business

The impact of that day weighed heavily on Kanakuri, as evidenced by his personal reflections:

My heart will burst from regret to the end of my life. It was the most importent day in my career, but I ruined everything. Failure teaches success. Now I will perform and work because of all my strength in order to wash off a shame. It is indeed incredibly arduous for me to carry this burden
Sidzo Kanakuri diary fragment

Redemption and Legacy: The Father of the Japanese marathon

The 1912 incident didn’t define Kanakuri’s career. He competed in the marathon at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics, finishing 16th, and again in the 1924 Paris Games, though he didn’t finish that race.Back in Japan, Kanakuri became a respected figure, transitioning into coaching and pioneering the run-in system of training for long-distance runners. He earned the affectionate title, “Father of the marathon” in his homeland.

A Swedish Journalist, a Lingering Mystery, and a Triumphant return

Decades later, in the 1950s, a Swedish sports journalist, Oscar Sederlund, stumbled upon Kanakuri’s name in the 1912 Olympic records. Intrigued by the runner who started but never finished,Sederlund’s interest sparked a renewed curiosity about Kanakuri’s fate. While Sederlund may have had access to records showing Kanakuri’s subsequent Olympic appearances, the pre-internet era made verifying such details difficult for the public.

In a remarkable turn of events,in 1967,Swedish authorities invited the then 76-year-old Kanakuri back to Stockholm to finally complete his 1912 marathon. He ran the symbolic final leg, finishing with an official time of 54 years, 8 months, 32 minutes and 20.3 seconds – the slowest marathon time in Olympic history, but a testament to perseverance and the enduring power of the human spirit.This act of reconciliation transformed a story of perceived failure into one of ultimate triumph and closure.

The Birth of a Legend: A Marathon Interrupted

The story of Shizo Kanakuri,a Japanese marathon runner,is one of the most unusual in Olympic history. During the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, Kanakuri disappeared mid-race, only to re-emerge decades later to complete what he started. But how did this happen?

From Disappearance to Urban Myth

In the vacuum of information following Kanakuri’s abrupt departure from the 1912 Olympic marathon, a journalist seized the chance to craft a compelling narrative. This journalist propagated the story of the missing runner, a tale quickly embraced and amplified by colleagues. Against the backdrop of post-World War II stories of Japanese soldiers discovered on remote islands, still unaware of their nation’s surrender, Swedish reporters spun a yarn that Kanakuri was still running his marathon in Stockholm’s suburbs, perpetually unable to reach the finish line.

The Svenska Dagbladet newspaper even went so far as to publish articles claiming Kanakuri had remained in Sweden, adopted the surname Svensson, and was working as a gardener, pipe cleaner, and baker. These fabrications, while humorous in retrospect, highlight the power of storytelling and the ease with wich misinformation can spread, especially in the absence of verifiable facts.

A Beautiful resolution: The Completion of a 54-Year marathon

The narrative took an unexpected turn in the 1960s. The same journalist,Sederlund,who had initially fueled the myth,decided to bring the story to a close. He sought out Kanakuri and successfully made contact.

In 1967, Swedish television extended an invitation to the then 76-year-old Kanakuri to return to Stockholm, which he accepted. His visit commenced at the very house where, in 1912, he had sought a glass of water from a farmer. Although the original owner had passed away, his son welcomed Kanakuri. Subsequently, the elderly runner, at his own pace, covered the remaining distance and, in the presence of journalists, finally crossed the finish line at the Stockholm Olympic Stadium.

This symbolic act resulted in an official marathon time of 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes, and 20 seconds – a record unlikely ever to be broken. Kanakuri, known for his self-deprecating humor, quipped at a press conference: It was a very long marathon. During the race, I managed to marry, have six children, and ten grandchildren.

Kanakuri’s Legacy: Beyond the Finish Line

Shizo Kanakuri passed away in his hometown of Tamana in the early 1980s at the age of 92. While he never achieved Olympic gold,his contribution to athletics is undeniable. His story, a blend of humor and determination, continues to inspire. He was a pioneer of long-distance running in Japan and played a key role in establishing the Hakone Ekiden, a prestigious university relay marathon that remains a notable event in Japanese athletics today.

Kanakuri’s legacy extends beyond his unique marathon finish. He embodies the spirit of perseverance and the enduring appeal of the olympic Games. His story serves as a reminder that even in the face of unexpected challenges, the pursuit of one’s goals can lead to extraordinary and unforgettable achievements. The keywords marathon, Shizo Kanakuri, and Olympics are forever intertwined with his remarkable journey.