I have known this for a long time. There is a running community. I participate in a number of online groups and am connected throughout the country (and beyond) to runners. One highlight was running in Guatemala with someone I met in a RunDisney group. I thought I was pushing really hard and couldn’t figure out what my problem was. Turned out she is a national champion. That was the fastest 2 miles I had run since high school!  I introduced that community to today’s contributor, who as we write this is out pounding the pavement. We wish him luck and pixie dust at the Chicago Marathon today,

In the early morning hours of an October Sunday, thousands of people walk the streets of Chicago. Hundreds of different languages are being spoken. Police cars sit in each intersection. A voice over a loud speaker repeatedly welcomes the throng of runners from around the world to the Chicago Marathon. Some have ambitions of finishing near the lead pack, while others know that they will be struggling for six or more hours. But this group has a couple common connections. They are runners, and they are here to participate in this race together. Their homeland, home state, age, and language doesn’t matter. All barriers are broken down by what they have in common on this one day. They smile at each other, exchange high fives and handshakes, and wish everyone around them well. The connection is stronger than the competition. The connection is stronger than their differences. They are a family, if just for today. Which is exactly how God sees us every day. If only we could see ourselves in this light on our most mundane days as well, for God’s desire is relationship more than anything else.
     -Rev Jeffrey G Mikyska