“If You Can’t Run, Then Crawl”: Marathon Runner’s Dramatic Finish Line Struggle Goes Viral

• A woman running a marathon fell to the ground just before reaching the finish line, and two fellow competitors had to help carry her across as she tried to crawl on her belly
• Running a marathon takes a massive toll on the body, with biomarkers changing during and after such intense exercise, explaining why some runners hit the wall
• Netizens were moved by the woman's determination, with many praising her fighting spirit while others expressed concerns about proper marathon preparation

A woman running a marathon showed incredible determination when she collapsed just before the finish line and had to crawl on her belly to complete the race. The dramatic moment was captured in a video shared by TikTok content creator @dr_ceee from Johannesburg and shared this weekend. The video shows how the exhausted runner fell to the ground and continued forward on her stomach while the crowd cheered her on.

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In the video, two people, including another runner, rush to help her, trying to pull her up. However, the woman keeps crawling on her belly, pushing herself forward with what little energy she has left. After finally crossing the finish line, the two good Samaritans had to hold her arms to help her stand as the crowd cheered her resilience and determination.

Watch the TikTok clip below.

What happens to marathon runners

Marathon running puts enormous stress on the human body. During such intense exercise, the body goes into overdrive, depleting energy stores, breaking down muscle tissue, and losing fluids and electrolytes at an alarming rate.

This physiological reaction explains why some runners, like the woman in the video, hit the wall and struggle to finish despite being so close to their goal. The body essentially begins to shut down after such extreme exertion, particularly if the runner hasn't properly trained or fuelled for the race.

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Briefly News spoke to medical expert Jayshri Rangasamy concerning the physical state of athletes after running a marathon. She stated:

"While exercise is beneficial, marathon running can have negative psychological effects like mental fatigue, anxiety, stress, post-race depression (emptiness after achieving the goal), body image issues, and sleep disturbances. Recognizing normal exhaustion versus medical complications is crucial. Normal exhaustion includes tiredness, muscle soreness, and mild dehydration, manageable with rest, hydration, and nutrition."

She went on to say:

"Severe symptoms like dizziness, confusion, excessive sweating, or shivering indicate medical complications such as hyperthermia, hypothermia, or hyponatremia, requiring immediate attention. Runners should watch for dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and overtraining injuries, and monitor for severe fatigue, maintain proper hydration, and listen to their bodies to prevent serious health risks. If a runner experiences slurred speech, persistent vomiting, or an inability to stay awake, these are signs of a serious issue and medical help should be sought immediately."

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South Africans react to the viral video

The video touched many South Africans who shared their thoughts in the comments section:

@MaurizeeOnTheRun gushed:

"Yoh I got to 19km and everyone was being attended to. Others in an ambulance 🚑 🥺🔥 proud of them making it that far and her. She gave it her all. A Nedbank fighter🔥"

@Bravo advised:

"If your body allows you to run, first walk, do slow pace running until your body is used to running. It's so easy. I started with 3km, 5km, 10km, 15km, 20km and now I am at 24km."

@Mosa warned:

"This woman was not prepared. Running is a sport that takes practice and she didn't do the required steps. This isn't safe. A woman died in this race. Running isn't just one foot in front of another."

@NdoniYamaNdosi observed:

"Cramps are the runner's biggest enemy, congratulations to her."

@Rato-la-Mokuena quoted:

"If you can't fly, then run. If you can't run, then walk. If you can't walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving," is attributed to Martin Luther King Jr. 👏👏🥰"

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@Miss L praised:

"She's way better than me, congratulations to her 🙌🏾"

Other marathon stories that touched Mzansi

• Briefly News recently reported on a man who was seen showering Soweto Marathon runners with water, and his kind gesture quickly went viral on TikTok.
• Four elite marathon runners tragically lost their lives in a crash involving two trucks on the N3 route while returning from a race in Durban.
• A South African woman was deeply moved when one person showed up as her biggest supporter during her first 10km marathon.

Source: Briefly News