Good Fathers . . . and the Steamtown Marathon

Two lines in this week's newspaper set me to thinking about good fathers and races.

The newspaper published the finishing times of the runners in the Steamtown Marathon, held on Sunday, October 13th (not on Layton). I combed through hundreds of names in the paper to find friends I knew who were running, silently cheering for their success. I spotted Leo, Taryn, Paul, and Jerry in the list and hoped Tom and Beth were there too. Completing a marathon warrants praise. It's a monumental accomplishment.

But these two lines in the finish results jumped off the page:

Brittany Spears, 20*, Scott Township, PA     3:13:51     5:00:40    4:58:31   
Anthony Spears, 43, Scott Township, PA       3:13:51     5:00:41    4:58:32  

Anthony "Tony" Spears, a former Marine, served in Iraq and other overseas theaters. Tony has run many marathons.He could have done better in this race. He could have exerted his usual strength and endurance and pushed ahead. Instead, he chose to finish one second behind his daughter, Brittany. 
Brittany and Tony Spears run the distance together.

Brittany ran her first marathon. Like all events in Brittany's life, dad trained, encouraged, and set the standard and pace for her long distance run. He ran with her, just one second behind, close enough to yell a "keep on, don't quit," close enough to notice her weariness, close enough to catch her if she tripped in any pot holes. One second behind, ever present, ever watchful, faithful father.

Next month, Brittany will marry her high school sweetheart. Dad, her trainer, coach, and encourager, will pass the job of long-distance companion along to Brittany's new husband. 

Fathers, like Tony, who know the value of setting the pace and standard for their children, who train them with discipline and with one-second-behind love, give a treasured gift to the world . . . great kids who know how to run the distance. 
Steamtown Marathon, October 13, 2013

Of course, thinking about one-second-behind love invoked thoughts of my dad, who has run the distance with me for sixty-some years, and thoughts of my sons who areright there in the race now with their children, keeping up marathon stride and accepting the challenges of trainer, coach, and encourager.

Our Father reminds today's fathers that in this race they should forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead, pressing toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called them. (Philippians 3:13-14)

Thank you, Lord, for young fathers and old ones who follow your example and remember your promise: "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Trev, a great long distance coach

Encourager and trainer, Bry runs the race well.

The team: Bry and Trev with their sons, running the race together.