There were $$31$$ runners competing in a race. The number of runners who finished before John is $18$ less than the number of runners who finished later than John. At what place did John finish? (Adapted from 1998 Math Kangaroo Problem, Level 3 - 4, Question \#13) 
Overseas Competition->Knowledge Point->Word Problem Modules->Questions Involving Sum, Difference and Multiples->Problems of Sum and Multiple
Before: $$(31-1-18) \div 2 = 6$$, and John: $$6+1=7$$. 