Community Gathers to Watch Guor Marial Run His Olympic Marathon

It was dark when the alarm rang and I wanted very much to hit snooze ... but there in the comfort of my bed , and the number of nights his bed was a jungle floor or crowded tent and that this very boy (he will always be a boy to me) was at this moment making his final preparations for the . So I got up ... and I am glad I did!

They trickled in to in that pre-dawn grey, his high school coach Rusty Cofrin and his wife “Mrs. Coach” Shirrill. Mike Eliasberg, a former cross-country standout and then a volunteer assistant when Guor was at CHS. Olivia Henry, a former guidance counselor at , , Ben Greene, and Karen Slick, all current Concord High School Staff members ... and roughly 70 other people ranging from interested citizens, parents of children who had been at CHS with Guor, members of his church community and representatives of the refugee community.

There are times when living in the town where you grew up  can feel stifling. This was not one of those times. Today, the village that nurtured Guor when he was here gathered together as one to support this modest hero in his Olympic Adventure and it was awesome.

Guor finished in 47th place, his time of 2:19:33 roughly seven minutes off his best.

Given , his abrupt change in training once he knew he could run as an independent athlete, the stress of getting enough documentation to leave the United States and travel to London and then the mayhem of London itself were all events that, while positive in outcome, were emotionally exhausting none the less. The hot weather slowed the times of all of the runners with the top runners all running three to five minutes slower than their personal bests. A marathon such an Olympic one change the game completely. Two of the three USA athletes dropped out, the third Meb Keflezighi a medal hopeful finished fourth. For Guor to run so well, and pass roughly 13 people in the last 10 kilometers is a stunning accomplishment.

The theatre was full and during the commercial breaks there were question/answer sessions, and stories from audience members. Connolly spoke about the support the high school tries to provide to the ever growing refugee and immigrant community. Cofrin spoke about Guor’s excitement about getting to London and remembering a time when Guor had felt overwhelmed and wanted to quit. Representatives from Centerpoint Church and the refugee community spoke to the help and support many of these families need as they arrive here, sometimes still shell shocked from their experiences. Local runner Scott Morrison spoke about running in general and the opportunities available to local fitness enthusiasts and the staff at Red River spoke about the venue itself. When Guor became visible on screen the crowd erupted in cheers. When his story was showcased and the cameras followed his effortless stride we clapped and listened and clapped again. When the medalists crossed the line we cheered again. Throughout the race people were following him on their smart phones yelling out his current place so when we finally saw Guor complete his race the collective sighs, cheers and applause were full of emotion. He had done it…finished this Olympic Race .... an unlikely modest humble hero.

In a post I wrote yesterday on Guor’s Facbook page, I reminded him to have fun, that he had already done so much for himself and is family and the world that he deserved to enjoy this experiences and that his Concord family was behind him regardless of the outcome. His response sums up his true nature:

“Thank-you very much Coach Barb for all the support. I have been having a blessing time in the Olympic Village here in London and I’ll make sure to enjoy the race and last couple of days in London. I hope all is well.”

He wrote this before he went to bed and when I respond I will tell him that indeed, all is certainly well Guor, your journey has brought strangers together as friends and has highlighted the plight of your home, South Sudan. Friends all over the world watched you this morning and in case you have any doubt, you have already changed the world.