A Kenyan runner sacrificed victory to help a fallen comrade.

Simon Cherprot was one to watch as he ran the IAAF Silver Label Okpekpe race in Nigeria but when he saw fellow Kenyan Kenneth Kipkemoi collapse, he stopped to render aid, according to Mwakilishi. The 25-year-old helped Kipkemoi up and ran with him to the finish line. Cherprot ultimately finished in twelfth place.

Had he completed the race, Cherprot would have finished in sixth place, according to The Nation. Additionally, since he won the race in 2016 and finished second last year, he was in the running to be the first athlete to win two titles since 2013.

 He has no regrets.

“Running is not war; running brings peace, unity and friendship,” Cherpot said. "My dad told me one day, ‘when you’re walking and you meet a sick person on the road, help him. Do not leave him.’ So that was the first thing that came to my mind when I saw my friend on the ground.”

Kipkemoi was thankful for Cherprot’s help.

“Simon is a good and caring guy after he helped me,” he said. “Though I am surprised at his kind act because not all athletes will do that.”

The act of selflessness impressed several local politicians who awarded him $15K, according to New York Daily News.

“This is what is called sportsmanship,” said race promoter Mike Itemuagbor. “Simon gave proper consideration for fairness, ethic, respect and a sense of fellowship with his competitors. He is our hero, he is the hero of the seventh edition of the race.”

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