In many major marathons, such as New York and London, the final runner is celebrated as an inspiration because they spend the longest time on the course—often battling injury, extreme exhaustion, or physical disabilities—yet refuse to quit.

"I would be last, but I just wanted to finish." - WVU Health Sciences

The "Last Runner" is a powerful concept in the world of distance racing, often used to symbolize the rawest form of human grit. While the winners take the glory, the final finisher often receives the loudest ovation. The Philosophy of the Final Finisher

: Finished on crutches with a total time of 10 hours and 32 minutes after her hip gave out mid-race.

: Similar to the Red Lantern in the Tour de France, the last runner in a marathon is sometimes treated with as much reverence as the winner.