In a story titled American runner's half marathon lead wiped away after bizarre course mishap,” it was reported that “Jess McClain was leading the race when she and two other runners were led the wrong way.”
Jess McClain is a decorated American runner who has made the podium in several events over the course of her career and was looking to score a victory at the U.S. Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta over the weekend.
McClain was leading the race with about 2 miles remaining. But her race was thrown off course as she was led off the path by a media vehicle, according to Athletics Illustrated.
McClain reportedly followed the media vehicle, a police motorcycle and a motorcycle with a camera.
McClain, Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat were all thrown off. By the time they got back onto the right course, McClain’s lead was gone.
She finished in ninth place while Hurley and Kurgat finished in 12th and 13th respectively.
Atlanta Track Club CEO Rich Kenah took the blame for the error.
"In the women’s race, a pace vehicle left the official course during Mile 11," he said in a statement to The Athletic. "As Race Director, I take full responsibility for what occurred. Athletes should never have to make a split-second decision between following a pace vehicle or trusting the official course.
Jess McClain is a decorated American runner who has made the podium in several events over the course of her career and was looking to score a victory at the U.S. Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta over the weekend.
McClain was leading the race with about 2 miles remaining. But her race was thrown off course as she was led off the path by a media vehicle, according to Athletics Illustrated.
McClain reportedly followed the media vehicle, a police motorcycle and a motorcycle with a camera.
McClain, Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat were all thrown off. By the time they got back onto the right course, McClain’s lead was gone.
She finished in ninth place while Hurley and Kurgat finished in 12th and 13th respectively.
Atlanta Track Club CEO Rich Kenah took the blame for the error.
"In the women’s race, a pace vehicle left the official course during Mile 11," he said in a statement to The Athletic. "As Race Director, I take full responsibility for what occurred. Athletes should never have to make a split-second decision between following a pace vehicle or trusting the official course.
And, you in know, as this story shows, it only takes a split-second decision to go off course. Spiritually speaking, sin can derail us the moment we take our eyes off the Lord and trust in anything else but Him, leaving us to deal with the consequences that follow. Hence the reason King Solomon imparted to his son and to us this wisdom, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21
You see, when you and I place our trust in anything else but God—people, possessions, pursuits, self, or any other thing—we follow, or trust, the world and not God… the One who has laid out the path to righteousness before us and has said, “This is the way, walk in it..”
Furthermore, God has made it abundantly clear that when we trust Him with our WHOLE heart (which is an undivided allegiance and commitment to follow Him) and we don’t lean on our own understanding (which is the equivalent of leaning on a brittle wooden crutch that will eventually break under the weight of our inclinations), but look to Him to prompt and lead us at all times, He will direct our paths and keep us on the “official course.”
"There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." Proverbs 14:12
So, no matter how tempted you might be to follow something or someone (for any reason) that's gone off the "official course," don't do it my friend. Not even for one moment! It may seem like the right thing to do (after all, the devil and his ways are very alluring and deceptive) at the time, but we must always remember that "there is a way that seems right to a man” but will prove to be anything but “right.”
Did you catch that "seems" part? It indicates that there will be many paths set before us that will appear to be good and appear to lead to our good "but its end is the way of death." And while you might be able to get back on course after having gone astray, you won't finish as well as you could have by trusting in God with your whole heart and, thereby, staying on the “official course.”
Heavenly Father, thank You so much for not only giving us the Bible that shows us the way but the Holy Spirit who lives in us and prompts us to go in the way. Give us a passion and zeal to read your Word Lord and to commit it to memory so that when (not if) we are tempted to follow anything that would take us off course, we would immediately recognize the plot of the enemy and avoid the temptation. Help us to remember that most sins begin with split-second decisions, that we might guard our hearts and minds and keep our eyes laser focused on You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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