In a recent heartwarming story titled “This 90-Year-Old Runner Just Finished His First Marathon After Rediscovering Running Later in Life,” it was reported that Bill Schwarz completed the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon, inspiring countless runners along the way.
At 90, Bill Schwarz just took on his first marathon at Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego on May 31. And while he didn’t officially finish within the race’s time limit, he still covered the full 26.2-mile distance, which is more than enough to be impressed by.
A spokesperson for Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series confirmed to Runner’s World that Schwarz completed the marathon in a little over nine hours, though not inside the official cutoff window…
Schwarz wasn’t new to running, either. He told Run Outside that he first began running in high school in the ’50s and found his way back to the sport more seriously after his wife died. What began as a way to “give [his] life a purpose again” eventually grew into 5Ks, half marathons, and then the idea of attempting a full marathon.
“My objective is to finish,” Schwarz said to Run Outside before the Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon. “And whatever time it takes, it’s going to be wonderful.”
And, you know, when it comes to goals, the objective of every believer (whether new or old to the faith) should be to finish their "race with joy," letting nothing move them from the mission (no matter how long it takes) "to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."
This was something that Paul understood and expressed during his final missionary journey chronicled in Acts 20—which details Paul's troubles and trials as he traveled throughout many towns, his miraculous raising of a young man from the dead in Troas, and ends with his emotional, tearful farewell address to the Ephesian church elders.
"As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus." Acts 9:3-8
Like millions of other believers around the world, Paul had entered the race in his later years (around the age of 27-33) after a life-changing event that caused him to see his need for Jesus. His encounter with the Lord caused Saul (later named Paul) to not only arise from the ground as Jesus commanded him but compelled Paul to passionately serve Jesus for the rest of his days—so much so that Paul declared that none of his trials moved him "nor do I count my life dear to myself." His sole objective was to finish the race with joy and declare the Good News until the very end, no matter how long it took, knowing that, in the end, it would be wonderful!
So, knowing that the end goal for every believer must be to finish the race well, make it your objective to let nothing move you so that you can boldly declare the gospel in the same way Paul did my friend. And whether you're 19 or 90, vow to live a life of purpose from this day forward by living a life dedicated to knowing Jesus and to making His great Name known.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that our lives are not our own and that the measure of a life lived well is found in the number of people that we inspired to seek You by the way we ran our race. Lord, help us to consider our lives worth nothing if they aren't lived for You so that we would seek to bring You glory in all we do. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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