"Run in such a way as to get the prize!": Peter takes on the Royal Parks Half Marathon

Deacon Peter Jones from Enfield has run for CAFOD a number of times; this time it was the Royal Parks Half Marathon. He tells us about his experience and the Bible passage that it made him reflect on.

Last weekend I ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon, a huge event for 18,000 runners. Being more of a mountain walker and cyclist than a runner, I had to put some effort into training. The first two half marathons I ran, I realised I was not properly prepared because I ran out of steam towards the end. This is when the community spirit of these events really kicks in. I remember running through the Embankment tunnel in the London Landmarks Half dropping to a fast walk. The person next to me was doing the same and said: "We are in uncharted territory now!" We both knew we hadn’t trained for this distance.

The next half marathon I felt better, but my time was worse! This time I was going to go for it, so my training programme was three runs a week up and down the New River path (highly recommended for a pleasant walk) and, when in Wales, running to the nearest hill, fast climb up, run down and the long way back on the road.

In the event, I ran all the way and beat my target of 2 hours 30 minutes.

All this training and preparation made me think about this passage in scripture from St Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 9:24-27:

'Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.'

St Paul is using an athletic metaphor to describe our Christian lives, emphasising the discipline, endurance and focus required to live faithfully for God. It is therefore important that we put as much effort into preparing ourselves spiritually and living our lives by following Christian values and always being disciples of Christ so that we may win the imperishable wreath – the eternal reward.