AT THE BIG SUR INTERNATIONAL MARATHON, taking place today on the beautiful Central California coast, there are some real VIPs among the 9,000 runners and walkers. But these VIP’s are not the elite runners like the Kenyans, or it is the “Grizzled Vets” who have run every Big Sur Marathon, as specials as these two groups are. No, these VIP’s are the hundreds of volunteers who will wake up early, and stand all morning long, holding out to small cups of water, or packets of energy gel to the runner who steadily pass by.
Without such volunteers, both young and old, a marathon like the BSIM could not be run. Their selfless acts of caring for the needs of the runners and walkers, along with their constant shouts of encouragement, are often the very things that keep the participants moving forward. Knowing that a mile or two down the road there will be friendly faces who seek to nourish both body and soul, can keeping one moving forward when everything else in you says to stop. This I know firsthand.
Many of these road-side servants are themselves runners. But on this weekend they “return the favor” to those who now run the race. These VIPs know the truth that both runners and servers are need to complete the race.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are told that we all run in a race, but I have found that sometimes I run, and sometimes I stand along the course encouraging others in the race. I seek to nourish both body and soul so that my fellow runners can run well the race set before them. Whether to run or to support, both are vital to helping us all finish the course. May we all so encourage and serve as we run this race together.