A cross-country race is a sport that has drawn the interest of many running enthusiasts worldwide through the years. 
The race route is laid out in a much shorter distance than the marathon, but the different kinds of terrain along the designated path to be negotiated by the competitors are a real challenge.
The excitement and grueling experience in how each runner would manage the distance to the finish line leaves good lessons both for the winner and the rest of the participants as they prepare for another race in yet another place sometime later.
As the popularity of the sport gains attention internationally, contestants from different countries arrive in droves to the host country, transforming the day of the event into a convergence of colors, shapes and language diversity. Each carries the pride of the nation he represents that getting first to the finish line is a must-do mission.
There was this similar scene a few years ago during the staging of a cross-country race participated in by an international cast. The route stretches to around 10 kilometers passing through even roads, rough terrains, bends, uphill climbs, downhill slides, foliage-covered paths, river crossing, and slippery, muddy portions along the way.
When the starting gun went off, the runners started on their way, slowly at first until a few minutes later when the lead pack settled in towing the rest of the runners.
At the finish line, thousands were anxiously waiting for the first indication of a figure to come out from the direction the runners were expected to appear.
Two hours after the race, the excitement at the finish line started to turn into worry and concern as no runner emerged. The organizers decided to initiate a search, following the designated route and after finding out nobody passed beyond the fifth checkpoint, they fanned out to nearby routes thereat.
It was discovered that the lead pack took a wrong turn at the fifth checkpoint and everybody else followed to a direction farther and farther from the finish line!
More than the somewhat comical ingredient of this story, valuable lessons can be derived from this race that didn’t end in a finish line.
It is a reflection of how leadership influences the followers. The lead element in the lead pack in the race is the leader, and everyone behind him are the followers. Wherever the leader goes, the ones behind him follows. Had the leader accidentally took a blind edge of a ravine, he would have carried a long with him many behind him to his plunge to death or serious injuries.
This highlights the truth about the incredible responsibility a leader carries on his shoulders. At certain points, he has to depend on nobody else to make crucial decisions during critical times. It is during these moments that a leader must be certain he is heading to the right direction, and the route he is going to take would lead to where he intends to be.
Once the leader is proven right in leading the pack to the finish line, he can truly declare the race has been completed.
Haggard looking, obviously tired and suffering from the effects of insufficient rest…unshaved, uncombed. The man continues to man the fort as the crisis continues. Coughing occasionally, he answers queries in a hoarse voice. With all the disgust and despair, he rallies everyone to unite. Visibly broken and suffering from the wounds, the man continues to stand on the forefront with his warriors as they brace to fight another battle.
That’s the leader of the pack./WDJ