On Tuesday of this week, the World Marathon Majors made a big announcement, saying they are adding an eighth marathon to the roster, thus officially making the iconic WMM Series bigger. Not only are they expanding their reach, the series is adding an entirely new continent to the map.
The Cape Town Marathon has been added to the series beginning in 2027, making it the eighth World Marathon Major and giving runners a new global finish line to chase. The 2027 race is scheduled for May 23.
For years, the Majors stood at six races: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. Sydney was added in 2024 to make it seven. Cape Town’s addition changes that map by expanding the series into Africa, giving it its first race in the group…
And, you know, while many runners will be thankful for the ingenuity that prompted the growth of the WMM series, Christians everywhere should be grateful for the persecution that scattered the early believers.
You see, people, even believers, have a tendency to get comfortable where they are. And while that’s not always a bad thing, comfortability can keep the church from doing their part in expanding the Kingdom—namely from going outside their “circle” to reach the lost.
Which is the very reason we can be thankful for the trials that come our way that cause us to move out of the four walls of our homes and our houses of worship—something that could be seen in the early church. This “great persecution” arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.”
Do you get that? Those followers of Jesus who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word! But it gets even better…. “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.”
But why was this so significant? Well…The significance of his preaching lies in his role in breaking down racial and geographical barriers to spread Christianity globally, which laid the foundation for the early church. Furthermore, Philip preaching in Samaria was a deeply significant move because Jews and Samaritans had centuries of historical and religious animosity.
By bringing the Gospel there, Philip demonstrated that Christianity was not limited to Jewish heritage but was intended to overcome tribal and cultural divides. In other words, this showed that the Gospel message was for everyone!
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3
The Cape Town Marathon has been added to the series beginning in 2027, making it the eighth World Marathon Major and giving runners a new global finish line to chase. The 2027 race is scheduled for May 23.
For years, the Majors stood at six races: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. Sydney was added in 2024 to make it seven. Cape Town’s addition changes that map by expanding the series into Africa, giving it its first race in the group…
And, you know, while many runners will be thankful for the ingenuity that prompted the growth of the WMM series, Christians everywhere should be grateful for the persecution that scattered the early believers.
You see, people, even believers, have a tendency to get comfortable where they are. And while that’s not always a bad thing, comfortability can keep the church from doing their part in expanding the Kingdom—namely from going outside their “circle” to reach the lost.
Which is the very reason we can be thankful for the trials that come our way that cause us to move out of the four walls of our homes and our houses of worship—something that could be seen in the early church. This “great persecution” arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.”
“Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.” Acts 8:4-6
Do you get that? Those followers of Jesus who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word! But it gets even better…. “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.”
But why was this so significant? Well…The significance of his preaching lies in his role in breaking down racial and geographical barriers to spread Christianity globally, which laid the foundation for the early church. Furthermore, Philip preaching in Samaria was a deeply significant move because Jews and Samaritans had centuries of historical and religious animosity.
By bringing the Gospel there, Philip demonstrated that Christianity was not limited to Jewish heritage but was intended to overcome tribal and cultural divides. In other words, this showed that the Gospel message was for everyone!
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3
So, consider it “pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,” even persecution, because you can be confident that God not only works our troubles, tribulations, and adversities for our good, but uses them for the advancement of the Gospel in ways that we might only understand in looking back.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You are sovereign over all and that You use the troubles of the world to redirect our paths and our purposes. Help us to view our trials as possible redirections, Lord, that we might not miss an opportunity to go where You are calling us to go to share the Good News of the Gospel with everyone. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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