Why we should celebrate last place

Last night I helped out with the brilliant Sarah’s Runners again and I received my fluorescent bib with “Last Runner Marshall” boldly printed on it, which I will be sporting in Sunday’s fantastic Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon.

Seeing those words “Last Runner” proudly displayed reminded me of an experience my older daughter, who is now in her 20’s, had when she was about 4 or 5 and we were on holiday in Spain.

They had a fiesta on one weekend with lots of events for the children, one of which was a swimming race.

Because my daughter was probably the youngest and smallest in her swimming race, she was a lot slower than the other children, and when she still had almost a whole length to go after the other children had finished, everyone around the pool was clapping and cheering her on, and she finished the race with a huge grin on her face.

We were talking about that swimming race a couple of months ago, and she still remembered it fondly, so much so that in her head she always thought that she had won the race, because she remembers everyone clapping and cheering her on.

For many of us finishing last might bring back memories of embarrassment or we might have even blocked the memory out, but for my daughter it was a strong positive memory.

I wonder if all those people who cheered and applauded her on realise what a positive impression their generous act made on her that day, that she still remembers it over 20 years later.

What if everyone saluted and celebrated the person who came last with the same enthusiasm as they did the one who came first?

I think the world might be a better and happier place.

What do you reckon?