25 kilometers into Sunday’s Huawei Venice Marathon, it appeared as though race favorites Gilbert Kipleting Chumba or David Kiprono Metto would come away with a victory. But in a scene straight out of a Looney Tunes cartoon, the top seven pack leaders were led astray after the lead motorcycle took a wrong turn.
The seven leaders — Bernard Bett Kiplangat, Moses Kemei Kipngetich, Robert Kiplimo, Abdullah Shami, Mutai Kipkemei, and the already mentioned Chumba and Metto — were led by the motorcycle off course and onto a busy thoroughfare. After several hundred meters, the pack realized they were headed in the wrong direction and turned back onto the marathon route.
The top seven leaders in the pack were delayed for about two minutes, which left an opening for Italian runner Eyob Ghebrehiwet Faniel to surge ahead and win the race. With a finish of 2:12:16, the Venice Marathon Club runner became the first Italian to win the marathon in 22 years. “Today’s race shows that the work is paying off,” Faniel said according to the IAAF. “It was not an easy race as I had to run alone on the Ponte della Libertà. I dedicate the win to myself as I have always believed in my work despite all the difficulties.”
#atletica
— Atletica Italiana (@atleticaitalia) October 22, 2017
l’azzurro Eyob Faniel
conquista la #Venicemarathon
in 2h12:16#record personale migliorato
di oltre tre minuti pic.twitter.com/mXF47Uo2qx
While, at the surface, it may appear as though Faniel’s win was a case of dumb luck, he deserves some credit for his victory. His finish time beat his previous personal best of 2:15:39, from a marathon in Florence in 2016. According to Sports Illustrated, among American runners, Faniel’s time would be the third-best of 2017. Finally, Faniel’s time was just over a minute behind the Italian world record posted by Daniele Meucci at the IAAF World Championships in August, which makes Faniel a clear contender for the Italian Olympic team in 2020.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.