Wakana Ueda Runs Honolulu Marathon: Blind Girl In Tears As She Crosses Finish Line (VIDEO)

Winning isn't everything. Some times it's even entirely besides the point. Such was the case when Wakana Ueda, a blind 11-year-old from Japan, crossed the finish line of the Honolulu marathon after 14 hours, 3 minutes and 12 seconds on the course.

Competing in her first marathon on Sunday, Wakana almost dropped out due to physical exhaustion. "Before the halfway mark, her leg was cramping up, and she was thinking about quitting many times," Wakana's mother told Hawaii News Now. "But because the team supported her, she was able to finish."

When Wakana crossed the finish line, she immediately embraced her mother with tears in her eyes. That the top finishers had come and gone hours earlier hardly seemed relevant. In fact, the accomplishments of the men's and women's winners seemed downright insignificant in comparison. After all, the top male finisher Nicholas Chelimo had won the event in 2010. He'd been there and done that. Although the Honolulu win was certainly the most significant for 25-year-old Woynishet Girma, the top female finisher, her exuberant stride across the finish line didn't pack the emotional wallop of the conclusion to Ueda's inspiring effort.

WATCH VIDEO AT TOP

Comments

[ZeroCoke]

07:08 PM on 12/18/2011

I gotta stop fretting about the little things

[Frank-Landfield]

08:46 PM on 12/17/2011

Welcome to the club!
:-)

[Frank-Landfield]

08:45 PM on 12/17/2011

Bravo!

[liberaldawg]

05:50 PM on 12/17/2011

I'm always humbled when I see someone who seems less capable than me, accomplish
something I wouldn't even have the nerve to try. Bravo little lady.

[bahkey]

11:52 AM on 12/17/2011

From the late Jim Valvano... "Don't give up,don't ever give up".

[sixthof7]

12:47 AM on 12/16/2011

What is an 11 year old doing participating in a marathon? What were her parents thinking?!!!

[clocknova]

08:45 AM on 12/16/2011

Dude.

[cookerman45]

11:24 AM on 12/16/2011

Dude.

[Sultry]

07:50 PM on 12/15/2011

Sorry for being the devil advocate here but, If a person can walk and enjoys reasonable good health they should be able to finish a marathon. Your mindset may tell you a marathon is not your cup of tea but you should be able to walk at a decent pace for 25 miles. Point being Blind people walk the city streets everyday with no help. Congratualtions to her but I'm not impressed.

[clocknova]

08:45 AM on 12/16/2011

Dude.

[cookerman45]

11:24 AM on 12/16/2011

Dude.

[belldn3]

06:12 PM on 12/15/2011

Good for her.

[tubajew]

05:56 PM on 12/15/2011

You go girl!

[billie w]

05:16 PM on 12/15/2011

WOW!! What would this world be like if we all had the spirit that Wakana does. She is amazing.

[longwalker21]

04:53 PM on 12/15/2011

I respect the young lady's accomplishment. To do 26+ miles at the age of eleven is an achievement for anyone. However whether or not she could see had little to do with her taking part in the marathon. I suppose she "ran" as part of a sighted team who guided her.

There was a European king that took part in calvary charges. His horse was fastened to two other horses and the knights mounted on those horses directed the movements of the king. He just had to stay in the saddle and swing his sword.

His actions were foolish but her actions are inspiring.

[beatles4ever]

04:51 PM on 12/15/2011

finally some good, happy, inspiring news! You're a real winner, Wakana!

[Mindy Davis]

04:48 PM on 12/15/2011

Your family must be bursting with pride Wakana! Congrats!

[woodynation]

04:48 PM on 12/15/2011

Hi all,

You will be well aware by now that a very special motorcycle project
has been taking shape in southern California.

Over the last 3 months, Micky Dymond has been training blind musician
Matt Wadsworth to jump a dirt bike.

This coming Wednesday, December 14, we will document our longest jump
of the project so far, and we would like you to come and be a part of
it.
This is by no means the end of the road, however at 12:00 noon on
Wednesday, we want to open the doors to everybody who has helped to
make this project a reality so far.

There is currently a world record for the longest blind-folded
motorcycle jump, which stands at 82 feet. We might beat the record, we
might not. The most important thing to us is to record our longest
distance so far, and to be able to share that with you in person.
It will be a very informal occasion - a first official bench-mark on
this incredible journey.

We are training at Competitive Edge (www.ridecemx.com) in Hesperia.
http://g.co/maps/u556d

If you are available, please do come and join us, we'd love to see you there.

[ireyl42]

04:47 PM on 12/15/2011

ALWAYS HAVE FAITH IN GOD JESUS ONE DAY YOU CAN SEE, BY MIRACLE.

[cookerman45]

11:26 AM on 12/16/2011

ALWAYS HAVE YOUR PRAYER RUG HANDY, YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOUR GONNA SEE A MIRACLE.

[I AM THAT]

09:29 AM on 12/17/2011

your imaginary friend has nothing to do with others.