The Marine Came In Last and Lost the Race

Lance Corporal Miles Kerr decided to enter a 5K (kilometer) race held during the 2013 Venetian Festival in Charlevoix, Michigan. A young 19 year old Marine, Miles decided not to wear typical running shorts and shoes like everyone else in the race.  Instead Kerr opted to run in his combat boots while wearing his utes (utility uniform pants which most of us would know as camouflage fatigue pants).  He was so confident he could run the race, he decided to wear a fully loaded ruck sack on his back during the race.

After several of his Marines buddies had crossed the finish line, Kerr was no where in sight. After all the other runners had finished the race, his buddies feared something might have happened to Miles along the way.  Maybe he was injured or maybe he had to drop out of the race due to fatigue. Just moments before they assembled to run back through the course to search for their fellow Marine, here came Kerr came around the last turn.

Moving ever so slowly at his side was a small boy; a boy who had become separated from the other kids in his group that he started the race with.  Nervous and scared, the young boy turned to Corporal Kerr midway through the course and asked, “Sir? Will you please run with me?". Kerr smiled, and slowed down his pace.  He decided to run at the boys side during the entire race. 

While at the boy's side throughout the race, Kerr kept urging the young boy who wanted to give up - to keep on going - do not stop running.  Kerr stayed with the boy and ensured he finished the entire course.  When they arrived at the finish line, the young boy was immediately reunited with his parents and his party.

Its interesting to note that Lance Corporal Kerr was actually the last runner to cross the finish line.  Not only that, he had the worse time of all the runners in this race ever recorded.  When asked why he ruined his chance to win this prestigious 5k race, he replied  "I was just doing what I thought any man would do!"

According to the Seals of Honor Face Book Page ... "Lance Corporal Kerr's unwavering commitment to help someone in need reflects great credit upon himself and reflects the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps."