First at Last

There are three runners, in this race
And I am starting, in third place
In practice I wasn't, very fast
And hence the reason, I am last

I won't give up, I'll have a go
Albeit I, am so slow
The race about, to begin
But I don't think that, I will win

Before you know, I heard the gun
I wasn't ready, yet to run
And all ahead, began to sprint
Before I left, my first footprint

But I'm determined, I won't quit
To do my best and will commit
The second runner, I am behind
Although it feels, I'm running blind

Then after just, a little while
I saw him limp, and would smile
His foot somehow, he would twist
And so that's one, off my list

Second place doesn't, sound as bad
Although I'm last, I'm not as sad
And when I set, my eyes on first
Was when his sullen, voice would curse

He began to slow; his leg would cramp
And I was feeling, like a champ
From last to first, which now has set
Not even breaking, out a sweat

The finish line just, up ahead
My same slow pace, which I'd tread
And although, I finished first
This race I ran, seemed like my worst

Is this win still, a victory?
With no-one standing, next to me
But only racing, yourself proves
That even finishing last, won't lose