The Boy Who Gave Up the Race to Save His Rival

he cleaned the other.

Raymond came around later.

Not with words.

With a thermos.

On the morning of Marcus’s longest training run, his father handed it to him at the door.

“Water,” Raymond said. “And a little ice. Don’t lose the lid.”

Marcus took it.

Their eyes met.

That was enough.

Race day came cold and gray, with a wind that swept through downtown Birmingham continue reading …