LightGrams
March 12, 2026
Volume 30, Number 10
People do some strange things to get their names listed in Guinness World Records. We’ve written before about some of those and could actually devote this column every week to just some of those antics. One that took place in October of 2025, though, seems worthy of some reflection.
55 runners from 18 different countries gathered in Garpenberg, Sweden to set a new record for “deepest underground marathon run for distance” by a team. From photos on Guinness’ website, the venue appears to be a mine of some sort, and the course they ran is 3,669 feet and 10 inches below sea level. The course involved 11 laps to accomplish the standard 26.2 miles for a marathon.
There was more involved than just setting a record. The runners also raised $1 million for charity, though the name(s) of the recipient(s) was not disclosed. The runners described the unique conditions they encountered, including the 3-minute descent to the course they were tackling. Though photos of the event show some lighting along the course, runners had to wear headlamps for those areas where illumination was not present. There’s no natural light inside caves or mines.
You may say (as I would), “I would never run a marathon in the dark,” but that’s exactly what we’re doing, according to God’s word. But He also tells us that we don’t have to run without light.
Life has often been compared to a marathon. Hebrews 12:1 describes our lives in this way: “… let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” “The race” refers to our lives. We don’t know how long the course is, but every morning we get up and begin “running” again. We have to persevere each day.
That last Scripture said nothing about light, but Psalm 119:105 is one verse among many that shows how we need God’s illumination as we run: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God’s word shows us the safe and proper course to run. Running without a light, whether underground in Sweden or symbolically through life, is foolish. We’re going to fall without light.
To be more precise, here is the real light we need: “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:4,5). John was describing Jesus who “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). He came to shine light on the path that will lead us safely home to our Father.
Hear Jesus’ own words in John 12:46: “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” You can run in the dark if you dare, but most realize the dangers of doing that. It’s definitely best to run the marathon of life in the light of Jesus Christ.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2026, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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