I must have watched
Thousands as they went past.
Some of them smiling
Some talking
Many with headphones in
Just trying to keep going
Pacing
Racing
Running
Advancing

These are the five-hours-plus-brigade
Non-athletes
The heavily built
The fancy-dressers
The fun-runners

The fundraisers
The elders
The young
The determined
The never-give-uppers
The heroes
And heroines

Pale faced
Sweating
Exhausted
Aching
Stumbling
Lumbering
One step
At a time

These are the champions
Running for mum
Running for dad
Running for children
Running for hospitals
Running for rhinos
Running for bees
Running for hope
Running for life
Running together

Pounding their bodies
For the good of others
Pushing themselves
Beyond the limits

We are the cheerers
Lining the route
The clappers
The callers
The encouragers
The supporters

Togetherness
Created
A mass
Of people

One day
One goal
One finish line
One people