but had a great time . What could have been chalked up as a great way to spend Saturday morning with my family and friends was , for me , moment of reflection .

What really stood out to me were the people . There were really three types of people at the event : runners , spectators and volunteers . All three are essential to any race , but the runners and the volunteers are the most critical . Without the volunteers , there would be no race , and without the racers , there would be no need for volunteers . For the runners , it would have just been one long and perhaps lovely run . It ’ s the combination of the runners and the volunteers that make it special . The two together make it a race .

As we have all heard , life is a marathon race .

Ms . Jayne

That day , it didn ’ t matter if a person had signed up for the full 26.2 miles , the half marathon , the 10K or the 5K ; each run came with its own unique challenges . The same goes for life in general as we all have our own tailor-made challenges in this human race . There are peaks and valleys and periods of flat terrain . Sometimes we hit walls and feel like we can ’ t go on . It was heartwarming to see my kids offering water and cheer , grasping the idea that a small act of kindness can make a significant impact . It was equally rewarding to see the relief on the runner ’ s faces as they received an encouraging word , a brief snack and a cool beverage .

Some runners were so focused that they barely glanced our way . My children were confused by them , but I reassured them that it was okay and that they shouldn ’ t take it personally . That person likely saw them and appreciated the kind gesture , but they were just so focused on their goal that they simply could not stop . The race was not about us , it was about the runners . We showed up and offered our support . People have the freedom to accept our support or not . Either way , it ’ s okay .

Runners often talk about hitting “ the wall ,” a point where mental and physical exhaustion threatens to end their race prematurely . In life , we hit walls too — be they personal , professional or existential . Offering support at this critical juncture in a marathon becomes a poignant reminder that sometimes we all need a helping hand to overcome obstacles . �

Nadine