infinitive or gerund?

Should the verb 'finish' be in infinitive or gerund in the following sentence?

He was the first runner .......... (finish) the race.

If we apply the rule 'be + the first, the last, nothing etc + infinitive' to the above sentence it sounds as if something is wrong with the meaning.

Thanks in advance

Quote:

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Originally Posted by demir

Should the verb 'finish' be in infinitive or gerund in the following sentence?

He was the first runner .......... (finish) the race.

If we apply the rule 'be + the first, the last, nothing etc + infinitive' to the above sentence it sounds as if something is wrong with the meaning.

Thanks in advance

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This is a be to + infinitive construction which is frequently used in:
-- newspaper, radio, TV reports to refer to future events,
--when discussing formal or official arrangements
--to give formal instructions or orders

He was the first runner to finish the race.