In an amazing story published by BBC News over the weekend, it was reported that: A long-distance runner believes he has beaten the world record for the most ultramarathons completed on consecutive days by a man.
This week, Sam King from Walton-on-the-Naze in Essex, said he had reached 61 ultramarathons since starting his challenge in September.
The world record attempt is yet to be verified but, according to Guinness World Records, the record stood at 60 ultramarathons in as many days.
Sam hopes his challenge, a fundraiser for the brain injury charity Headway, will continue for 79 days.The 32-year-old wanted to raise money for the charity after his mum, who he described as "the most amazing woman", suffered a bleed on the brain earlier this year.
"We spent 24 hours at the hospital waiting for her to take her last breath and that just threw my whole life into perspective."
He quit his job in London and moved nearer to his hometown of Frinton-on-Sea so he could spend more time with her. He had planned to run 74 ultramarathons in as many days – one for each year of his mum's life before she became unwell – but he has extended the challenge to 79 days so it finishes on a weekend.
"What's an extra five days after running 74?" he laughed, before setting off on a run with a friend who was visiting from Exeter to support Sam's challenge.
His mum watched him finish his record-breaking run on Wednesday, which Sam said was "one of the best moments of my life".
He runs 50km (31 miles) in about five hours each day, which is about the same distance as running from Wembley Stadium to Gatwick Airport.
"I struggled a lot through the first few weeks but I've adapted into it now. It's just incredible how your body can adapt to these things and how good I'm feeling."He said he had already applied to Guinness World Records to contest the previous record set by Col Krishnan Badhwar in India in January 2023.
Sam records his efforts using two running watches and take lots of photos and videos ready to submit to an adjudicator at the end of his challenge.
"Hopefully they're happy and satisfied with the evidence at the end when I upload it," he added.
And, you know, when it comes to having evidence that leaves no room for scrutiny in proving the validity of a claim, the Bible tells us that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” And since God, who is the substance and solid foundation of our faith, can not be seen with human eyes, we must learn to view Him through an eternal lens—something that takes a deep trust in the evidence that can be seen.
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,” Romans 1:20
Thankfully, God, who we can’t physically see or touch, has made it easy for us to know Him in other ways, and to therefore put our total confidence in Him. And He’s done this by revealing Himself to us through both the Word and through the world—thereby giving us irrefutable evidence of His existence and of “His eternal power and Godhead” so we have no excuse for not following Him.
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
“The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130
“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.” James 2:17-24
You see, “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Which is the very reason Abraham, and many other saints, were commended for their deeds in Hebrews 11. Abraham's faith and actions worked together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. Abraham’s leaps of faith (and those of the others listed in the Hall of Faith) displayed the evidence of God’s mighty power for all to behold. They couldn’t see the Lord with their human eyes but they could see what the faith of Abraham produced... descendants as numerous as the sands on the seashore. And this was evidence of God’s existence!
So, do all you must do to grow your faith my friend. Read your Bible each and every day. Pray, meditate on God’s Word, spend time with other believers, and make time to get out into nature. But don’t stop there! Let your faith spur you to action by stepping out to do whatever it is God is calling you to do… trusting Him to provide for you in the same way He did for Abraham and countless other saints, especially when the task seems impossible. These works and your testimony will further serve as evidence of God’s existence that you can share to inspire the lost to seek Him.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being a God with a proven track record. You have never changed, Your Word has never been disproven, and Your power has no limit. Help us to acquire and grow the type of faith that moves mountains Lord that we might inspire the lost to seek and trust in You. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
