Running with Perseverance

It was an uncharacteristically hot Sunday as we stood with the historic backdrop of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. We were joining with thousands to cheer on runners taking part in the London Marathon, raising funds for worthy causes and impacting many individuals around the world. This year Links had six inspiring individuals who were running for us, having spent months of effort, training and sacrifice getting ready for this amazing event.

One of our runners wrote:

‍“It was a tough day! Too hot for me! It was so uplifting though to meet so many people, the majority raising money for great causes. I am so pleased that the day went well for Links…when I hit the wall, as you do at 30k my mission to raise funds pushed me onward!”
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Having run the London Marathon myself many years ago, I know what a lot of work goes in to preparing yourself for this challenge. The final stretch through St James Park can be very powerful and emotional as the crowd cheers you on and I am sure this will have been an unforgettable experience for all those involved! Hearing the roar of the crowd once again that Sunday morning, deeply impacted me, as they cheered on complete strangers, shouting their names at the top of their lungs. Names which have been printed on their running vests, alongside their worthy causes, as a statement to the heavens of their desire to identify with and do their part towards changing lives! Many times, I found myself pondering the question that day, ‘What would life look like if we always cheered one another on in this way?’

The reality is that we do have such crowds cheering us on! Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith…” Today may we hear them and choose to pick up the pace; to love more fully and to serve more completely as we join with Jesus to connect people, to confront poverty and to create potential.

Perhaps you might like to support Links in this way, whether through an event like the London Marathon, or organising your own sponsored challenge or community fundraising event! Write to us at hello@links.charity and we would love to support you in these endeavours.

Once again huge thanks to all of our runners! We are so grateful for all the effort, sacrifice and time that everyone put into training, preparing and fundraising. We couldn’t do what we do if it wasn’t for the partnership of people like them supporting us in these ways. Their hard work will impact lives and communities around the world and on their behalf, we offer our deepest thanks.

Joe Gisbey
CEO

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