In an amazing amazing story titled “75-year-old Northlander becomes oldest runner to complete Arrowhead Ultra 135” published Friday, it was reported that Michael Koppy completed the Arrowhead 135 mile race known for its difficult and hellish conditions, becoming the oldest runner to ever finish the grueling race from International Falls to Tower, MN.
The race, which is advertised as one of the toughest in the world, can be biked, skied or ran.
Michael Koppy finished the 135-mile course in 59 and a half hours, just 30 minutes before the cut-off time on Wednesday. During the race he battled temperatures as low as 20 below zero, frostbite, a 50-pound sled of gear, hallucinations from lack of sleep, and frozen food and water.
Koppy calls the race the hardest thing he’s ever done.
In 2025, Koppy dropped out of the race roughly six miles from the finish line. The failed attempt motivated him to come back for another run this year.
Race rescue volunteer Todd Gabrielson had picked Koppy up in 2025.
“It was obvious that he was done. He couldn’t walk another 10 feet,” Gabrielson said.
This year, with just five miles left, Koppy called Gabrielson for rescue again, saying he wasn’t going to make it to the finish line before the cut-off.
“And I said, yes, you can. You just keep going, Mike, one foot in front of the other. I’ll keep checking on you, and you’re going to finish this race,” Gabrielson said.
Gabrielson stayed by Koppy’s side for the last mile and a half of the race.
“I actually told him, I said, Michael, you are the toughest 75-year-old man in the world,” Gabrielson said.
Koppy believes he wouldn’t have completed the race without Gabrielson’s encouragement.
And, you know, as this story shows, encouragement has the power to change outcomes. This is something we can also see in the life of Mark, also known as John Mark, a close companion of the apostles, whose encouragement from Barnabas changed the outcome of his life and his ministry.
You see, although Paul said “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry," when he was feeling deserted, Mark wasn’t always so valuable to Paul.
“Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.” Acts 15:36-40
In this way, encouragement transformed Mark from a "failed" missionary into a trusted leader and the author of the Gospel of Mark. By giving Mark a second chance, choosing to look at his potential rather than his past, Barnabas helped Mark complete the mission and finish strong. Encouragement certainly changes outcomes!
So, if you're a mature Christian, look for opportunities to mentor and encourage those new in the faith or feeling like a failure my friend. Your patience and passion to help might be the very thing that changes the outcome of their lives and their ministries. After all, we should all seek to be like Barnabas. And if it's you who's in need of encouragement today, seek out someone who's known for their cheerful attitude and positive outlook and let them help you see your potential rather than your past. You'll be so glad you did.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that failing doesn't mean that our race is over. Help us to see our failures as opportunities to grow and become better. Lord, help us to be known for our encouragement that we might uplift our brothers and sisters who might need a word of cheer or an act of kindness and reinforcement. Thank You for the Bible Lord that gives us hope of redemption through stories of real-life people such as Paul, Mark, and Barnabas. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
