For more than a decade, the headlined verse from 1 Corinthians (9: 26) has captured the spirit of hundreds of Los Angeles Marathon participants who traverse, on their own power, the 26.2 miles through the streets of Los Angeles not for fame or fortune, but for faith.

This year, a group of 90 dedicated Catholic marathoners braved unseasonably warm temperatures in the annual "Run for Vocations," an L.A. Marathon "sub event" coordinated by the archdiocesan Office of Vocations and held March 7. The number included 45 participants from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in El Monte, several of whom were seen silently praying the rosary for vocations at mile 21.

As is customary, parishioners signed up to be prayer sponsors for the runners, cyclists and walkers from throughout the archdiocese. Students in religious education programs and Catholic schools also made prayer pledges.

The Run for Vocations was preceded March 6 by the traditional liturgy for runners and "blessing of the shoes" by Father Ken Deasy, pastor of St. Agatha Church and a past participant. St. Agatha also hosted its annual pasta dinner for participants, and the students of Santa Isabel School in East L.A. created placemats for each.

Then, on March 7, Father Dick Martini, former Vocations Office director and now pastor of Transfiguration Church (near the Marathon route) led the cyclists on the the L.A. Tour beginning at 6 a.m., returning in time for Mass at the parish. Cardinal Roger Mahony blessed a number of participants at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels before the race, and soon the runners were off in their bright green T-shirts.

It was, as one participant said, a superb test of physical, mental and spiritual strength. And, more importantly, it was a sign to the larger community that the commitment of the local church to nurture vocations to the priesthood and religious life is very much alive.