Why did Shizo Kanakuri disappear during the 1912 Olympics?

Kanakuri was overcome by heat exhaustion during the marathon in Stockholm's unusually hot weather. He stopped at a garden party for orange juice, rested for over an hour, then took a train back to his hotel and sailed home to Japan without informing race officials because he felt ashamed of his poor performance.

How long was Shizo Kanakuri listed as a missing person in Sweden?

Kanakuri was listed as missing in Sweden for approximately 50 years, from 1912 until Swedish television researchers discovered his status while reviewing Olympic records in 1967. Swedish police had searched for him after the 1912 Olympics but never found him because he had already returned to Japan.

What was Shizo Kanakuri's official marathon finishing time?

When Kanakuri returned to Sweden in 1967 to officially complete the 1912 Olympic marathon, his time was recorded as 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes, and 20.3 seconds—making it the longest marathon completion time ever recorded.

What did Shizo Kanakuri do after the 1912 Olympics?

After returning to Japan, Kanakuri became known as the "Father of the Marathon" in his home country. He competed in two more Olympic Games (1920 and 1924), married, had six children and ten grandchildren, and spent his career coaching athletes and promoting long-distance running throughout Japan.

Did Shizo Kanakuri ever compete in the Olympics again after 1912?

Yes, Kanakuri competed in two more Olympic Games—in Antwerp in 1920 and Paris in 1924. Despite his infamous 1912 disappearance, he remained dedicated to the sport and had a distinguished career as both an athlete and a coach in Japan.

The Olympic Runner Who Went Missing for 54 Years

Imagine running a marathon so slowly that you get married, have six children, and raise ten grandchildren before crossing the finish line. That's exactly what happened to Shizo Kanakuri, whose Olympic marathon took 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes, and 20.3 seconds to complete—making it the longest marathon in recorded history.

The Grueling Journey to Stockholm

In 1912, 20-year-old Shizo Kanakuri qualified to represent Japan at the Stockholm Olympics. It was Japan's first-ever Olympic appearance, and Kanakuri was one of only two athletes sent. But getting there was an ordeal in itself: an 18-day journey by ship and train through the Trans-Siberian Railway.

By the time he arrived in Sweden, Kanakuri was exhausted and weakened from the journey. The race day didn't help matters—Stockholm was experiencing unseasonably hot weather, with temperatures soaring above 90°F (32°C).

The Disappearance

During the marathon, Kanakuri struggled with the oppressive heat. About halfway through the race, he passed a garden party where a Swedish family was enjoying refreshments. Overcome by heat exhaustion and feeling humiliated by his poor performance, he stopped to accept their offer of orange juice.

Then something unusual happened: he stayed for over an hour, resting in the shade. Eventually, still too ashamed to return to the race, Kanakuri took a train to his hotel, boarded a ship the next day, and sailed back to Japan—without telling a single Olympic official.

Race officials were frantic. One runner, Portuguese marathoner Francisco Lázaro, had died during the race from heat exhaustion. Swedish authorities feared the worst for Kanakuri and added him to the country's missing persons list. They searched, but found nothing.

Fifty Years on the Missing Persons List

For half a century, Shizo Kanakuri remained officially missing in Sweden. Meanwhile, back in Japan, he went on to have a distinguished career as the "Father of the Marathon" in his home country. He married, had six children, and became a respected running coach and advocate for long-distance running in Japan.

Swedish officials had no idea their "missing" athlete was living a full and productive life across the globe.

The Invitation to Finish

In 1967, Sveriges Television (Swedish National TV) was researching historical Olympic records when they discovered Kanakuri's name still listed as missing from the 1912 marathon. They tracked him down in Japan and extended an extraordinary invitation: Would he like to come back and officially finish the race?

At 76 years old, Kanakuri accepted. Upon arriving in Sweden on March 20, 1967, he jumped off the plane and jogged around the tarmac to warm up—showing, as the Associated Press reported, "great vigor."

Crossing the Finish Line at Last

Dressed in a suit and tie, Kanakuri ran about 100 meters before breaking the tape in front of Swedish television cameras. The ceremony was heavily covered in Swedish media, and when the official time was announced—54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes, and 20.3 seconds—the crowd erupted in laughter and applause.

When asked about his record-breaking slow time, Kanakuri delivered one of the greatest quotes in Olympic history: "It was a long trip. Along the way, I got married, had six children and ten grandchildren."

After the ceremony, Kanakuri returned to the same garden villa where he'd stopped for orange juice 55 years earlier. There, he met Bengt Petre—the son of the family who had hosted him during his moment of crisis.

A Legacy Beyond the Marathon

Despite his infamous Olympic "disappearance," Kanakuri competed in two more Olympic Games (1920 and 1924) and became instrumental in popularizing marathon running throughout Japan. He organized races, coached athletes, and helped establish running as a major sport in his country.

His 1967 finish line ceremony transformed an embarrassing moment into a heartwarming story of perseverance, humor, and the enduring spirit of the Olympics. It remains one of the most charming and unusual stories in the history of the Games—proof that it's never too late to finish what you started.