infinitive or gerund?

[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

[Teia]

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

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.