As we become aware of the cloud of witnesses surrounding us, we should draw encouragement from them and press on to achieve the goal of the race that is set before us. In running, athletes find encouragement to do better as they look back on what has been accomplished before them. For instance, for a long time it was assumed that it was impossible to break the four-minute mile. But Roger Bannister first broke that barrier in 1954. Since then, new records for the mile have been set at least 18 times, with the current world record being more than 16 seconds faster than Bannister's time.
