The Dipsea Run On the second week of June (several years ago), I ran the most grueling and treacherous race of my life. I was a capable runner in my youth. In high school I ran with the cross-country team, racing up to seven miles a day. After college I continued running to keep fit, covering ten-twelve miles each week. One day I discovered several photographs of my grandfather, dated June 1918, showing him running a rural footrace known as ‘The Dipsea Race.’ Since my grandfather participated in this historic footrace every year from 1918-1921, I decided to try to follow in his footsteps. Though I was an experienced runner, fit, and young (in my mid-30s), I was completely unprepared for the challenges of the race. ‘The Dipsea Race’ was first organized in 1905 and is the oldest trail race in America. It is 7.4 mile course located in the scenic coastal foothills just north of San Francisco. It evidently got its name ‘Dipsea Race’ because trail meanders through coastal hills and eventually ‘dips’ down to the ‘sea.’ The race begins in the quaint town of Mill Valley, California. After running an easy one-half mile runners are directed up a flight of stairs - 672 steps - that ascends a wooded hillside. Half way up the staircase the muscles in my legs were burning, and my heart was pounding in my throat. At the top of the staircase there was no relief in sight. The trail continued straight up a grassy mountain. I pressed on and up, stopping from time to time to catch my breath on the steep grade. At the top of that mountain the trail plunged precipitously into a ravine. The trail was rocky and uneven. I stumbled, nearly falling several times. Then another vertical climb, and another. When I slowed to catch my breath other runners passed me. Still I persevered and eventually reached the finish line at Stinson Beach. The Dipsea Race was the most difficult footrace of my life. At the end of the race I was wrung out, done in, and dog tired. During the course of the race I had to reach deep into my core to persevere, to endure and to push through the greatest physical challenge of my life. Still I did it, and was gratified that I had completed the race. The Dipsea footrace, which I repeated three years in a row, has always reminded me of the challenges and unexpected difficulties that Christians can face in their daily lives. Sometimes there are steep hills, perilous trails, and dangerous twists and turns. There are times when we run strong and sure. There are times when we slow to a walk. Still we press on, with eyes fixed on Jesus. ‘Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. – Hebrews 12:1-2 Greg Dabel International Director Kids for the Kingdom
Posted on: Sun, 15 Jun 2014 17:37:24 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015