Buffalo Marathon: An Unlikely Duo

June 6, 2015 1:28 PM

"The average monthly income in Ethiopia is about $300-$400, less after taxes. She is running to take $4,000 home. You do the math. All I am going to take home are some sore legs, a cheesy medal, and a fierce hangover from partying with my brothers. I got nothing to lose so I let it all hang out. We don’t speak the same language, but running is universal, like music."
posted by roomthreeseventeen (14 comments total)

That was a cool story.
posted by YAMWAK at 1:35 PM on June 6, 2015

I don't really have much to say about this, that was just a real interesting read.
posted by kafziel at 1:37 PM on June 6, 2015

He seemed slightly insufferable, until the end. Nice finish!
posted by msbubbaclees at 2:37 PM on June 6, 2015 [1 favorite]

What a great tale, thanks!
posted by maupuia at 2:55 PM on June 6, 2015

I do hope the cash prizes were per gender, not in total. Would hate to think she gave up two grand there, or that he took two grand from her.
posted by kafziel at 3:43 PM on June 6, 2015 [1 favorite]

I'm pretty sure they were per-gender, he points out that he was running this one for the sake of the sore legs. The Buffalo Marathon "Elites" page suggests that the prizes are per gender (and there's no way the 8th place finisher is taking home several thousand dollars), and the result page shows Charlie Ware as 8 overall and #3 in the non-Elite M25-29 category.
posted by straw at 4:02 PM on June 6, 2015

I ran the half that day and while not a fast time generally, that was the fastest half marathon I've run in nine years. It was a beautiful day and a great course. Hearing this story makes it an even sweeter memory.
posted by kat518 at 4:18 PM on June 6, 2015

Great story, thanks for sharing.
posted by smoke at 4:19 PM on June 6, 2015

Loved this, how humbled he was afterward, when he realized that he wasn't the hero, that he didn't save the day for the little lady (literal). And the photo of the two of them was great! So glad she used him for a wind break, that giant of a man.
posted by honey badger at 8:15 PM on June 6, 2015 [2 favorites]

That was an unexpectedly sweet story!

(And it actually made me want to put on my running gear and get out there...)
posted by Harald74 at 11:35 PM on June 6, 2015

good story. Great example of unexamined white male privilege.
posted by Dashy at 6:33 AM on June 7, 2015

This was the perfect story to read just before going out for a run. Thank you.
posted by 256 at 8:45 AM on June 7, 2015

Yay! AZ Trail running, represent!
... Even if he didn't tell you that he's a trail runner, you can tell because he affixed his number to his shorts, not some track group shirt.
posted by ph00dz at 1:09 PM on June 7, 2015

This sweet story inspired me to get back to the trail.
posted by growabrain at 6:56 PM on June 7, 2015