One Day, 26.2 Miles

By Tommy Sheridan, MA

Today, I had the privilege of watching my middle child run his second Chicago Marathon. As I stood among thousands of spectators, I was deeply moved by what unfolded before me, an extraordinary display of human resilience and connection. Thousands of individuals, from every walk of life, came together to run 26.2 miles through 29 vibrant neighborhoods. For one day, differences in race, gender, sexual orientation, political belief, and origin seemed to dissolve. There was no divide, only movement, purpose, and shared humanity.

I found myself reflecting on the reasons people run: for themselves, in honor of someone, in memory of someone, to raise awareness, to fund research, or to find a cure. Each stride carried meaning, and together they formed a sea of hope. Watching them, I realized I was witnessing something I feared was fading in our society, an act of pure altruism, of collective hope.

I marveled at how the human body and spirit can endure such an immense physical, emotional, and mental toll. The answer, I realized, is purpose. It’s hope. The countless hours of training are not just preparation, they’re acts of community. Run clubs and shared miles become a reminder of what we all need to thrive: connection.

As the runners passed, I couldn’t help but shout words of encouragement, “You’ve got this!”hoping they felt seen in their struggle. I wanted to reach out to those whose pain was written across their faces, to remind them that they were not alone and they were seen.

Maybe that’s what this day teaches us. That even in the midst of struggle, purpose keeps us moving. Hope keeps us connected. And perhaps, if we each found our own “one day” and our own “26.2 miles,” we might rediscover what binds us all together.