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Earlier this year, on March 8, 2026, the Los Angeles Marathon made history. For the first time ever, organizers of a marathon offered an “early exit option.” At mile 18, participants could stop short of the full 26.2 miles and still collect a finisher medal.
Because of the extreme temperatures, race organizers were concerned about dangerous medical emergencies. Rather than postpone or cancel the race, organizers lowered the bar, allowing racers to call themselves marathoners and receive the marathoner’s reward without completing the race.
“If you’re having a tough day and want to end your race before 26.2, you can choose to take the turn at Mile 18 and head into the finish line early,” officials said. “You do not need to notify anyone of your decision and can opt to take this route at any time.”
Almost a thousand runners chose the off-ramp that hot day and skipped the last 8.2 miles. They each received a finisher’s medal.
As a runner who has completed those last, brutal 8.2 miles several times in marathons, including one on a blistering hot southern Missouri day, I disagree with the organizers’ decision to offer an off-ramp to the finish line and still reward those athletes with a finisher’s medal.
The apostle Paul and I agree.
Paul said under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” (2 Timothy 2:5).
Of course, Paul is referencing a whole different race: the race of life, where we are, every day, 24 hours closer to the finish line of this earthly life. Here’s the deal about this race called life: there is no deal.
There is no shortcut or off-ramp to glory. There is no Mile 18 exit to take when you’re having a tough day, a tough season, or a tough life. God calls us to press on, one foot in front of the other, shuffling if we must, with our eyes on Jesus, our greatest Prize, until the day He unrolls the finish line tape out in front of us and calls us home. It will be beyond our wildest dreams and worth every mile we persevered through!
Through the grace and mercy of Jesus, strive daily toward what is ahead. Press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called you heavenward in Christ Jesus.