While it's impossible to definitively name the slowest human on earth in a purely physical sense, the story of Shizo Kanakuri provides a compelling, albeit metaphorical, answer.
The Story of Shizo Kanakuri and the "Longest Marathon"
Shizo Kanakuri, a Japanese marathon runner, is often humorously referred to as completing the "longest marathon" in history. This stems from his participation in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.
The 1912 Stockholm Olympics
During the marathon, Kanakuri suffered from severe heatstroke and collapsed. He was cared for by a local family, but felt so ashamed of his performance that he returned to Japan without informing the Olympic officials that he had abandoned the race. As a result, he was officially listed as "did not finish" (DNF).
The "Completion"
Fifty-four years later, in 1967, Swedish television tracked down Kanakuri (who was by then an accomplished runner and educator in Japan) and invited him to complete the race. He accepted, and officially "finished" the 1912 Olympic marathon with a total time of 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 8 hours, 32 minutes and 20.3 seconds.
Why He's Considered the "Slowest"
Although a lighthearted designation, Kanakuri's marathon experience has cemented his place in Olympic lore as perhaps the slowest marathon runner. This isn't due to physical slowness, but rather the immense amount of time it took him to officially complete the race. The context is key here. Someone with a disability that affects movement would be physically slower; however, the question, given the context, is more related to unusual historical events within running.
In Conclusion
While the title of "slowest human" could be given to someone with physical impairments affecting their speed, the enduring story of Shizo Kanakuri and his "longest marathon" provides a unique and memorable, albeit metaphorical, answer to the question. He exemplifies perseverance and dedication despite facing unforeseen challenges.
