Conquer the Wall Endurance Runs
March 10-12, 2023
The Conquer-the-Wall 47- & 35-Hour Runs were held in Williamson, WV, and kicked off the 2023 Runners' Church Eastern tour that covered some thousands of driving miles to 7 events in 5 states.
Alexis Batausa, RD, was really supportive of our coming and bringing Runners' Church. I donated some books (Running, And Other Bad Habits, a humor book I wrote some years back), as well as Runners' Church stickers for packet bag swag, and was hoping for a good turnout before the races kicked off.
We had a great service, albeit small, before the kick-off of the 47-hour event. No one attended my service before the 35-hour; however, I had two people come up and ask me for prayer before they started.
The weather was a little dicey (rainy), but from those who were hammerd the previous year by a heavy spring snowfall in 2022, I guess it was much improved. But the food for the entire event was among the best I've ever enjoyed at any race, ESPECIALLY the BACON and eggs; they muct've cooked 30lbs of bacon!
I got to talk to many on the trail over the two days I was out there, and got to effectively share the gospel with at least two folks; so I pray they will eventually respond to this good news--the "best news ever"!
I love it when God brings funny things to me, and this run presented perhaps the funniest incident I can remember in my running career. The course is a big long, 2-mile loop around the town's retaining wall along the river. Part of this loop goes past a few homes on the left side of the road, the wall being off to the right. So, here I am running along, and a little girl on a motorized, kid's mini-bike pulls up alongside me riding in her yard and hollers out at me, "Mister, are you okay?" Two other runners in proximity to overhear just busted out laughing, as did I. "From the mouths of babes..." All I can say is that while I thought I was strong and running well, God sent a little "humbler" to maybe knock the edge of any ego that might have been swelling. I must have looked pretty pathetic. "Do you need me to call 9-1-1?!?" Hilarious!
Run long and journey-on, because the Journey is ON!Mark
"Therefore, lift up your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed."~Hebrews 12:12-13