Marathon runners from every nation had gathered in one place. Each and every one of them was an outstanding athlete. Still, there were bound to be exceptional standouts even among them, so I Han carefully observed the few runners who caught his eye. As already known, there were Kenya's Paul Tergat and Ethiopia's Haile Gebrselassie. The problem was that Kenya's other two athletes were outstanding runners comparable to Paul Tergat, and the same was true for Ethiopia.
“Hmm.”
He caught sight of another Kenyan runner.
Neil Martin.
He too was a world top-class athlete along with Paul Tergat. Another famous nation was Madagascar, whose ace was Edderahim Gaumuri.
The interesting thing was that all of these three countries occupied every spot in the top ten world marathon records of all time. It was no exaggeration to say that Kenya, Ethiopia, and Madagascar dominated marathon running. Of course, other countries such as Brazil, Russia, France, and Portugal were also in the field, so opinions were divided on who would take the victory.
“Let's get in line too.”
“Yes.”
One thing was certain: no one had predicted South Korea would win.
[Now, please be quiet.]
Languages from every country filled the stadium. The athletes moved busily according to the announcements they heard.
[Athletes, please stand in front of the placard bearing your country's name. We will provide simple guidance until the situation is settled. First, you will hear a brief word from the president of the World Marathon Association, and then we will immediately begin the flower of the Olympics, the marathon.]
Before they knew it, every athlete was standing before the placard matching their nation. South Korea was no different: the coach stood at the very front, and behind him stood the three competing athletes and over ten junior athletes who had come to observe.
Not long after, a middle-aged man of advanced years stood at the podium. He introduced himself and continued speaking briefly.
“What is he saying?”
“The translation's on. Just listen quietly.”
When the athletes standing in back made a commotion, the coach glanced behind them. Soon, Korean words echoed through the space that had gone quiet.
[It is an honor. I am the president of the Marathon Association. The time has finally come for athletes from all over the world to gather in one place and measure their skills. Everyone will have honed their abilities for this day. I hope that all of you finish without a single dropout and display your skills to your heart's content. That is all.]
When the association president finished speaking, the athletes clapped.
Clap, clap.
Because his words were short and simple, the cheers were even louder. Before long, after hearing a brief explanation, they began warming up here and there for the marathon that would start shortly.
[The total length of the course is 42.195 kilometers. From this stadium, you will exit...]
Since it was something they already knew, the coach began stretching together with the athletes.
“It's starting soon.”
“Yes.”
“Don't be nervous. Just run like you always do.”
“Understood.”
There was no running away now. He had to run forward, trusting in the effort he had put in until now and the sweat he had shed. Many thoughts came to mind, but he deliberately erased them and steadied his heart.
Focus.
I Han, having thoroughly warmed up, exhaled deeply. At that moment, the broadcast announcing the start of the race was finally heard.
[The race will begin in ten minutes. Please go to the line and stand there.]
The expectations and hopes of many people weighed on his shoulders. But for I Han, there was an even heavier fear of the unknown. He had prepared one means to calm his mind even a little, but he himself didn't know how long it would last.
Over a hundred athletes stood at the line. Only athletes who had reached top-class stood at the very front, while the rest could decide for themselves where to stand. Of course, squeezing in where there was no room was poor manners. That was why most had come early to prepare. I Han also arrived without being late and was able to stand around the middle.
“Senior.”
“What?”
“Make sure you pace yourself.”
An Onho stared at I Han and spat out words in a commanding tone.
“I follow the leaders' pace. That's all I have to do.”
“That's exactly what I mean.”
I Han let An Onho's snide remark go in one ear and out the other and decided to focus on the race.
“Hup, hoo.”
I Han, who had exhaled a deep breath, bent his upper body. An Onho and Yeo Unjae standing beside him stared blankly at such an I Han.
“What are you doing now...!”
An Onho, who had been about to say something with an annoyed expression, froze.
Thud, thump.
Something had begun falling from I Han's body. The moment those things hit the ground, a slight vibration was felt.
“Sand... bags?”
Three came out from just one leg. While An Onho and Yeo Unjae were making bewildered expressions, now three sandbags fell from the opposite leg.
Thud.
An Onho, who had been spacing out for a moment, bent his torso and picked up one sandbag. Judging by the heavy feel, it was 2kg.
“Six of these?”
This alone was 12kg. The flustering thought that he couldn't have trained in this state until now flashed through his mind.
“No way... right?”
The moment he raised his torso back up, An Onho discovered sandbags falling once again.
Thud.
This time, it was three sandbags attached to his right wrist and lower legs. Having dropped those on the left side as well, I Han slowly moved his body and then soon jumped in place.
Boing.
He hadn't put any strength into it, yet his body sprang like a spring. Light.
There was no word that could more perfectly describe his current physical state than these three letters. His body was lighter than at any other moment. At this rate, he felt like he could run not just 42.195 kilometers, but 100 kilometers. A smile naturally formed on I Han's lips. Thanks to that, the anxiety that had been weighing on his mind blurred a little.
“Senior.”
An Onho called out to such an I Han. I Han turned his head and threw a questioning gaze at An Onho, who was putting on a serious expression.
“Since when have you been wearing these?”
“From the first day we came to China.”
“Continuously?”
“Yeah.”
The days they had practiced together until now came to mind. He remembered I Han's speed, running effortlessly with 24kg strapped to his body. Even in the state where I Han wore sandbags and regulated his pace, An Onho had thought it was hard. But sandbags?
It makes no sense...!
He had wanted to shout that it really made no sense, but An Onho held it back. An impulse rose up, wondering if he should kick the back of I Han's knee hard while running. That impulse became killing intent that bore into the back of I Han's head. Perhaps because I Han felt that gaze, a chill seeped into his tone.
“Focus on the race.”
Only then did the killing intent disappear.
“Hoo.”
An Onho controlled his mind and exhaled deeply. Watching such an An Onho, I Han opened his mouth again.
“You might not be able to keep up.”
“What?”
An Onho frowned and opened his eyes, retorting.
“I told you before, but the lead group in this race is much faster than you think. With your ability, even the second group will be too much for you.”
“Bullshit! Don't give me that bullshit!”
“You'll know if you run.”
“Y-you...!”
Just as An Onho was about to throw a punch, the gunshot signaling the start of the race rang out.
Bang!
I Han took a step and looked at An Onho. “It's starting.”
And he kicked the ground.
Pound.
I Han, who had been threading rapidly through the athletes, slowly reduced his speed.
Not them...
He saw a few athletes running out as if the 42.195 kilometers were a mere 10 kilometers. He could guarantee that the moment they passed 10 kilometers, they would collapse from exhaustion by their own momentum.
Where was Paul Tergat?
As I Han was looking around, a familiar athlete passed by his side.
Here he comes.
Paul Tergat also turned his head slightly and looked at I Han. Since they hadn't been able to settle the score last time, the two fixed their gazes forward with the determination to run properly this time.
Pound.
His speed increased just a little. After running about 1 kilometer, the groups began to split. The first lead group that I Han had judged to be overdoing it was running up ahead, and next were I Han and Paul Tergat. Several athletes from the third-place group quickly approached while scanning the situation. The first to arrive was Ethiopia's Haile Gebrselassie. Immediately, Ethiopia's other two athletes approached, and Madagascar's Edderahim Gaumuri also positioned himself right behind the second group. Soon after, An Onho and Yeo Unjae, wearing displeased expressions, took their places right beside I Han.
“Hup, hoo.”
Upon discovering the two who had caught up, I Han increased his speed slightly to make room for them. Then An Onho and Yeo Unjae, who had been beside him, moved behind him.
Pound.
It wasn't over yet. Brazil's Ronaldo da Costa and Russia's Gert Days, America's Ryan Hall and France's Benoît Zwierzchlewski attached themselves to the second group as well. Finally, Portugal's Antonio Pinto also approached.
Was that everyone?
I Han turned his head slightly while running. Then, after discovering the third group quite far behind, he examined the athletes around him.
Thirteen.
It was neither a large nor small number. However, I Han's brow furrowed as he looked ahead. Two athletes had broken away from the dozen or so runners who had been pushing too hard up front.
Kenya?
That's right. They were two Kenyan athletes who were Paul Tergat's teammates. The two of them looked at Paul Tergat and grinned. That they had led from the beginning seemed to be a plan to drop a few competitors early on.
That makes fifteen, then.
There were certainly more outstanding athletes in this competition than he had thought. But some among them would definitely fall off at the 35-kilometer mark.
“Hup, hoo.”
That point would also be a crisis for I Han. For today, please... No, even if the pain of his shattering knee came, today he had no intention of stopping. Even if that pain devoured his brain and led him to death, he would absolutely not stop.