When the 26-year-old American crossed the finish line, he initially thought he had missed the mark. It wasn’t until Hoey saw his time appear on the official clock that he knew he had smashed Kipketer’s record.
Hoey’s historic performance came seven weeks after he set a world indoor 600m best, also in Boston. For both records, Hoey was paced by his brothers Jaxson and Jonah.
In a post-race interview with Canadian Running, Hoey called the family moment “special...”
The indoor 800m world record wasn’t the only mark to fall at The TRACK at New Balance. American distance runner Hobbs Kessler broke the great Kenenisa Bekele’s indoor 2,000m world best of 4:49.99 by more than a second. The 2026 meet marked the first time two world records were set since the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix moved to this state-of-the-art venue in 2023.
Wow, right? It goes without saying that these two record-breaking runners put in years of hard work to smash these records. After all, the process of becoming a world-renowned runner doesn't happen overnight nor does it happen without putting in consistent effort and putting aside anything that would deter them from reaching their goal.
This same principle is true in our spiritual lives as well. You see, all those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ (that's us!), thereby gaining the awesome privilege of becoming a child of God, are called to live as Jesus did. That means we are to continually be in the process of growing in our walk with God so that we resemble Him more and more (in our thoughts, in our words, and in our actions) each and every day. After all, sons and daughters are to look like their Father right?
And while this might seem like a huge undertaking, when we truly understand the "great love the Father has lavished on us," this becomes something we not only want to do, but something we take pleasure in doing. When we fully grasp it, we will want to please the Father so much that we voluntarily do what it takes to purify ourselves, "just as he is pure” to reach our goal of being "like him."
"Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure." 1 Timothy 5:22
"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:8
"Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart." 1 Peter 1:22
To be spiritually pure then, we must put in the consistent effort and work it takes to be morally clean and completely unadulterated. Which means we must not "share in the sins of others." We must repent of any current sins and encompass a whole-hearted devotion to God. We must cultivate a transformed mind that's stayed on Him and reflects His character. And then we must completely obey the truth so that we have a sincere and deep love for our brothers and sisters that comes from a changed heart that's focused on serving others rather than being served.
"For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters." Romans 8:29
So, remember that the Christian race is not a sprint, but a lifelong process of becoming more and more like Jesus my friend. Therefore, train with intention each and every day by getting in the Word, taking time to pray, and asking the Holy Spirit to help you live it out. This is the only way to ensure that you'll finish the race and hit the mark.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that becoming like You is a process that will not end until Christ appears. Help us to understand how much You love us so that we would live to make You proud. Give us the strength to train in the Word as we should and to do the work it takes to purify ourselves just as You are pure. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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