In a story titled “Runner is sole finisher of 47,000ft hill challenge” published by the BBC News yesterday, it was reported that Sarah Perry, from Cockermouth in Cumbria, England finished The Hill challenge in a time of 47 hours and one minute, becoming the only runner (out of 24) who completed the race.
The Hill challenge, which consisted of 56 laps up and down The Wrekin in Shropshire, the first time it has been held in five years, has a total assent of 47,000ft (14325.6m) and runners had to complete the distance, which totalled 160 miles (257km) within 48 hours.
"The last third of the race was hard. The biggest difficulty was the lack of time," she said. Ms Perry broke the women's ultramarathon world record in October. Runners are largely unassisted for the race - they are not allowed sticks, headphones, outside assistance, pacers or supporters.
They cannot stop for more than 30 minutes at a time, or leave the route to get supplies or sleep, and must have a DNF (did not finish) strategy to get them home safely.
The closest competitor to Ms Perry completed 41 laps before bowing out.
Several runners retired on the first night, with more tapping out on Saturday and Sunday.
"I chose to skip breaks and ignore things that I'd usually get sorted, like wet socks and sleep deprivation, and instead chose to keep on the hill," said Ms Perry.
"I knew that six weeks to recover and build back up was a big ask, but I've wanted to do The Hill for so long and this was the first time it's been run in five years, so I just had to be on that start line," she said.
"I'm thrilled to have finished and, quite honestly, can't believe that it was possible for me."
"Unlike in backyard ultra races, there are no scheduled breaks so I was constantly doing the calculations in my head to figure out whether I could complete it.
"Often there was no wiggle room."
Wayne Edy, founder of sports brand INOV8, who Ms Perry runs for, said: "We are incredibly proud of Sarah and her incredible achievements."
"They are just reward for the many, many hours of commitment she has put into her training and the sport.
"Sarah is small in stature but big in grit and determination."
And you know, as this story clearly illustrates, there are some races that are so immensely hard that few will enter them much less complete them. In this case, only one runner finished the race--and it took enormous effort, countless hours of training, and a degree of self-sacrifice (or temperance) that few people are willing to put forth.
But this all-out effort in training and in racing is what it takes to win. And this is the all-out effort that Paul said we must put forth in our spiritual race if we are to take hold of the prize. Which means believers must run to win "the prize" not to simply receive a participation trophy. Believers must train as an Olympian does, with their eyes set on the gold medal, unwilling to settle for second or third place.
As you can imagine, this involves “choosing to skip breaks and ignore things” that aren’t 100 percent necessary for us to run the race. Which means we choose to reject comfort for the sake of progress. It involves keeping a steady pace and disciplining our flesh to keep going even when it’s hard. It involves choosing to “keep on the hill” or pressing toward the finish line when our flesh wants to quit.
This is the very reason Paul said that he would be "temperate in all things" and not fight “as one who beats the air” but would discipline his body--to make his mind and flesh surrender to God’s will, not Paul’s will. In this way, Paul would run according to the rules, complete the race despite the hardships, remain faithful, and make it to the finish line where he would receive an “imperishable crown” for his efforts.
So, run in a way to receive the prize my friend, knowing that any other way would be in vain. Compete according to the rules, being obedient to the calling God has placed on your life. Let nothing deter you from pressing on and claiming the prize God has in store for everyone who remains faithful and completes the race.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that the Christian race will not be easy. Help us model the grit and determination that Jesus modeled when He chose to be born of a virgin and then die a sinners' death so that we could have eternal life. May we be so grateful for His sacrifice, that we are compelled to serve Him with an all-out effort until we reach our final finish line. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
As you can imagine, this involves “choosing to skip breaks and ignore things” that aren’t 100 percent necessary for us to run the race. Which means we choose to reject comfort for the sake of progress. It involves keeping a steady pace and disciplining our flesh to keep going even when it’s hard. It involves choosing to “keep on the hill” or pressing toward the finish line when our flesh wants to quit.
“And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:25-27
This is the very reason Paul said that he would be "temperate in all things" and not fight “as one who beats the air” but would discipline his body--to make his mind and flesh surrender to God’s will, not Paul’s will. In this way, Paul would run according to the rules, complete the race despite the hardships, remain faithful, and make it to the finish line where he would receive an “imperishable crown” for his efforts.
So, run in a way to receive the prize my friend, knowing that any other way would be in vain. Compete according to the rules, being obedient to the calling God has placed on your life. Let nothing deter you from pressing on and claiming the prize God has in store for everyone who remains faithful and completes the race.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that the Christian race will not be easy. Help us model the grit and determination that Jesus modeled when He chose to be born of a virgin and then die a sinners' death so that we could have eternal life. May we be so grateful for His sacrifice, that we are compelled to serve Him with an all-out effort until we reach our final finish line. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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