This past weekend I ran my second marathon – this time in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s been 22 years since I ran the NY Marathon and the experience was just as rewarding.
I was in town as a speaker at the Mass Participation World conference, an event that brought together a diverse spectrum of minds in the industry – organizers, operators, agencies, and governmental bodies – all unified by a shared passion for enhancing the athlete experience.
As I navigated the streets of Saigon during the marathon, I was reminded of the profound impact of mass participation events on individuals. Witnessing groups running together, sharing laughter, and others intensely focused on breaking personal records, was a testament to the myriad of reasons why participants join these events.
However, the marathon route was not without its challenges – a microcosm of the trials we face in life. Moments of self-doubt surfaced, testing the limits of my endurance – the relentless battle between mind and body. Yet, it was at these times that I was reminded of the true essence of these events. The resilience developed in a physical race transcends into our ability to conquer adversities in both life and business. It’s in those pivotal moments, where quitting seems plausible, that our inner strength propels us forward, emphasizing the paramount importance of mental fortitude in achieving success.
My return to the mass participation arena in HCMC was nothing short of extraordinary. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Chris Robb Bang Trinh Onslo Carrington and the Sunrise Events Viet Nam (SEV) team for orchestrating such an enriching experience. The connections made and lessons learned have left an indelible mark, igniting a strong desire to participate in future events and continue contributing to this thriving industry.
Here’s to the resilience born of perseverance, the strength found in adversity, and the incredible community fostered by mass participation events—a journey that extends far beyond the finish line.
