Shizo Kanakuri: The Man Who Took 54 Years to Finish a Marathon

Some marathon stories are about speed, endurance, or dramatic finishes. Then there’s the story of Shizo Kanakuri—the Japanese runner who took 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes, and 20.3 seconds to complete a single marathon. What started as an Olympic dream turned into one of the most bizarre and legendary tales in running history.

Japan’s First Marathon Hopeful

Shizo Kanakuri was born in 1891 in Japan and grew up in an era when modern athletics were still relatively new to the country. As a young man, he was a standout runner, setting records in Japan and proving himself as a dominant force in long-distance running. By 1911, he had clocked a marathon world record of 2 hours, 32 minutes, and 45 seconds—an astonishing time for the early 1900s.

His talent earned him a spot in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, making him one of Japan’s first-ever Olympic athletes. Expectations were high, but fate had other plans.

A Grueling Journey to Sweden

Unlike today, when international travel is straightforward, getting from Japan to Sweden in 1912 was an endurance challenge in itself. Kanakuri had to endure a grueling 18-day journey, traveling by ship and the Trans-Siberian Railway to reach Stockholm. The long, uncomfortable travel took its toll—by the time he arrived, he was already exhausted, dehydrated, and malnourished.

Then came the brutal Swedish summer heat. The 1912 Olympic marathon took place on one of the hottest days on record, with temperatures soaring above 90°F (32°C). The course itself was a nightmare—poorly marked, dusty roads with very little shade. Many runners struggled in the heat, some even collapsing.

The Day He Disappeared

Kanakuri started the marathon but never finished it—at least, not in 1912. Struggling with the heat and fatigue from his long journey, he collapsed mid-race near the town of Sollentuna.

A kind Swedish family found him and, seeing his weakened state, invited him into their home. They gave him water and food, and he soon fell into a deep sleep—one that lasted until the next morning.

Ashamed and embarrassed by his failure to finish, Kanakuri slipped away quietly, returning to Japan without informing race officials. As far as Olympic records were concerned, he had simply vanished. Swedish officials didn’t know what had happened to him, and for over 50 years, he was officially recorded as “missing” from the 1912 marathon.

A Life Dedicated to Running

Though Kanakuri's 1912 Olympic attempt was a disaster, he didn't give up on running. He continued his career, competing in the 1920 Antwerp Olympics (where he finished 16th in the marathon) and again in the 1924 Paris Olympics (though he did not finish that race).

Beyond competing, Kanakuri revolutionized long-distance running in Japan. He became a coach and helped establish Japan’s first major university relay marathon, the Tokyo-Hakone Ekiden, which is still one of the most prestigious races in the country today.

Even though his Olympic career never resulted in a medal, Kanakuri became a respected figure in the Japanese running community. But the mystery of his disappearance in 1912 remained... until 1967.

Finishing the Race—54 Years Later

In 1967, Swedish officials, looking into their historical Olympic records, rediscovered Kanakuri’s name. Realizing he had never officially finished the race, they invited him back to complete the marathon.

At 76 years old, Kanakuri returned to Sweden and crossed the finish line of the same course he had abandoned more than five decades earlier. His final official time?

👉 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes, and 20.3 seconds.

Kanakuri, known for his dry sense of humor, joked:"It was a long trip. Along the way, I got married, had six children, and 10 grandchildren."

It was a fitting and hilarious end to one of the strangest Olympic stories of all time.

A Legacy Bigger Than Any Medal

Despite his early struggles, Kanakuri became known as the father of marathon running in Japan. He inspired generations of Japanese runners and helped shape long-distance running in the country. Today, the Tokyo-Hakone Ekiden is a national event watched by millions, and Japanese marathoners consistently compete at the highest levels globally.

Kanakuri passed away in 1983 at the age of 92, but his story lives on. He may not have won Olympic gold, but he holds a world record for the longest marathon completion in history—a record that will likely never be broken.

The Lesson of Shizo Kanakuri

His story teaches us that failure isn't the end—it's just a detour. It’s never too late to finish what you started. Whether it takes you two hours or 54 years, the important thing is that you cross the finish line.

And if you ever feel like a run is taking forever, just remember—you’ll probably finish a lot faster than 54 years.