Doing a half marathon – 13.1 miles: I could do that….maybe. Doing the half marathon a dozen years in a row: Okay….a little tougher, but maybe. Doing a half marathon 12 years and then preaching a sermon: Now you’re talking crazy.
Rev. Marty Phillips, pastor of Park View Christian Church in Chesapeake, Va., ran his 12th consecutive Rock and Roll Half Marathon Sept. 2 and then went to preach the 11 a.m. service. This year was a special challenge as the temperatures were hotter than ever….and the times were slower than ever. Phillips started the race at 7 a.m. in Virginia Beach, finished 2 hours and 40 minutes later (he usually finishes closer to 2:15), then jumped in his car, went home, showered, and made it to church with 10 minutes to spare for the morning service.
Phillips says, “The three priorities in my life are faith, family/friends, and fitness. Running the race and leading worship gives me a great opportunity to combine two (fitness and faith) and then later that day I get together with family and friends and it’s a triple play.”
This year he wore a shirt during the race with a chalice on the front. On the back it read, “Rev. Marty Phillips; Follow Me to Park View Christian; Worship Service at 11:00.” He was interviewed by the local television station and featured in the local paper.
