Holy hurrahs

Churches along marathon route plan activities to boost runners’ spirits

The Rev. Paul McLain blesses Little Rock Marathon runners as they pass by Trinity Episcopal Cathedral during last year’s race.
The Rev. Paul McLain blesses Little Rock Marathon runners as they pass by Trinity Episcopal Cathedral during last year’s race.

With a race going on outside their front doors on Sunday morning, many churches along the Little Rock Marathon route are embracing the spirit of the day, while still finding time for worship services.

photo

Democrat-Gazette file photo

Runners cross the Broadway Bridge during last year’s marathon. Many churches along the route alter their Sunday schedules so members can cheer on race participants.

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral on West 17th Street is an official entertainment venue for the marathon. The Rev. Paul McLain, canon and sub-dean, said parishioners had cheered on the runners in the past, but last year the congregation made a bigger effort to get involved.

"Here we have an event just beyond our doors where hundreds or thousands of people may be coming by, and it's an excellent opportunity to show hospitality and the love of Christ to all," he said.

McLain said road closures and increased traffic can cause problems for those who want to get to church, but rather than seeing the race as a stumbling block, the parish decided to embrace it.

"It's been a rich relationship," he said. "It's a great place for families to come and cheer. Our location is just the perfect venue for seeing the runners as they go by."

The congregation is kicking off "Cheer From Here" with a Marathon Mass at 5 p.m. today, followed by a meal provided by the church's Culinary Guild and music to go along with the marathon's pirate theme. McLain said the evening service will give marathon participants the opportunity to worship before the race, while also offering parishioners the option to worship today instead of facing traffic and detours on Sunday morning. He said those who think they might have trouble getting to their church on Sunday morning are welcome at tonight's service.

"It's a great chance for members of the community to get to know one another," he said.

The cathedral will also have worship services on Sunday at 7:30, 9 and 11:15 a.m., as well as at 5 p.m., and McLain will be standing curbside and offering blessings with holy water to race participants as they come by. A pirate-themed brunch will be served throughout the morning and parishioners will cheer on the runners all morning.

McLain offered blessings to runners last year and as he did so he reflected on Isaiah 40:31, which says in part, "those who wait for the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

"It was a rewarding experience," McLain said. "We got a lot of feedback from runners about how much it meant to them that a church cared enough about runners to be out there offering a blessing and encouragement as they came along."

First United Methodist Church, on Center Street, is usually at Mile 9 of the route, but this year's marathon route was altered because of construction. This year the church is on Mile 2 and runners won't come by the front of the church. They'll be going by the side on Seventh Street.

"This year we're excited to see what it's like to be at Mile 2," said Lesley Andrews, the church's communications director.

Andrews said since the church is close to the starting line she anticipates that participants will be parking close by so they will have volunteers there early to wish participants luck as they go by. They will also be cheering them on throughout the marathon.

"We do have quite a few members who like to come out and cheer the runners on," she said. "We'll be playing music and we always have a balloon arch or columns to get everyone excited. One of the church's sayings is, 'We are with you on your journey.' For the marathon it's a physical journey but also a spiritual and emotional journey and we really enjoy cheering the runners on."

The church usually has three services on Sundays, but because of the marathon only one will be offered, at 10 a.m.

Andrews said worship attendance on marathon Sunday is always lower than normal but this year, with the route changes, she's not sure what to expect.

"A lot of roads are closed but we give the congregation a map that shows the route they can take" to get to the church, Andrews said.

As the runners and walkers start up Kavanaugh Boulevard they'll hear the carillons playing at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, which is between Miles 13 and 14 of the marathon route.

"From what I've been told, when they hit this station it's the toughest part of the route because it's all uphill, so we crank up our carillons and that really picks them up and encourages them," said the Rev. Randy Hyde, senior pastor. "Then when they get to the top of the hill and we are there cheering it's a pick me up. We enjoy that."

Hyde said worship attendance on marathon day is usually low.

"Our attendance is not very good," he said. "Our older folks don't want the hassle of parking and getting around."

But those who do come are enthusiastic in their support of the marathon participants. As Hyde said, "It's not as if we can ignore them. They go right in front of our church."

This year the congregation will have breakfast at 8 a.m. and worship services around the tables at 8:45. Then they'll go outside about 9:30 to begin cheering and ringing cow bells.

"Last year it rained and this year it's going to be cold. We don't anticipate a lot of our folks will come, but the ones who do will bundle up and be as loud as they can be. We like to let them know we're there," Hyde said.

The marathon route passes by St. Edward Catholic Church on two sides (Ninth and Ferry streets) and participants will also receive a warm greeting there, even though Sunday Mass will go on as usual at 9 a.m. in English and 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. in Spanish.

"We basically keep going," said Father Jason Tyler.

Tyler said a few weeks before the marathon he gives parishioners directions on how to get to the church on race day.

"Our problem is the marathon runs on two of our four sides so people can't easily get to our parking lot for the 9 a.m. Mass unless they get here 45 minutes early," he said. "We'll get about half our normal attendance but a lot will come on Saturday at 4 p.m., especially elderly people or people who need to park closely."

During the Saturday afternoon Mass, Tyler will offer blessings to runners and walkers, but on Sunday morning he won't be in the sanctuary. He'll be running in the marathon. Last year was his first time running the marathon, but when the race was rerouted and shortened because of the weather, confusion caused many to think it had been canceled, including Tyler, who ran 18 miles before being told the race was off.

"That was a let down but I wanted to do it again this year," he said. "Even if it's cold and rainy we'll be able to continue on."

Religion on 02/28/2015

Upcoming Events