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Verse:Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. —Hebrews 12:1, NLT
The fiftieth Honolulu Marathon took place in 2022.
Although I am not a runner, I decided to sign up to do it.
After previously participating in a virtual format, which allowed you the entire month of December to complete the 26.2 miles if you chose the multiday format, I decided I was ready for the real thing. Especially since I was not doing it on my own.
The Honolulu Marathon Clinic meets weekly from March until the week before the marathon in December. The clinic has various groups based on experience and speed. They even have a group for people who are recovering from health issues like heart surgery. Each week there are health talks related to training. Group leaders share tips they have learned over their years of running marathons. They promise that barring illness or injury, if you follow their training plan, you will finish the marathon. On the morning of the marathon, I got up ridiculously early to catch a shuttle bus to the race drop-off with some new friends from my group.
What excitement! We watched the fireworks and all the best runners go by. Finally, it was our turn to cross the start line. We enjoyed all the Christmas lights as the route wound through downtown. We saw a beautiful sunrise, and we saw the fast runners coming in toward the finish line. After we made the halfway point, we made the turn back toward the finish line, which we eventually all crossed, just like we were promised—if we followed the plan. I never thought I would finish a marathon, but it was so much fun, in large part thanks to the many people who came to cheer us on. I had always read Hebrews 12:1, but now I have experienced it. I trained and developed my endurance. I left extra “weight” behind with a friend who met me midway to cheer me on (verse 1, NLT). I know I only finished the race because of the help and encouragement of so many. The hard work was worth it. All this excitement over an earthly race. Think how joyous we will be when we get to heaven! Let us all be part of the “cloud of witnesses” encouraging one another on to the finish (verse 1, NIV)!
Julie Bocock-Bliss