Six members of Lomax Assembly of God ran in the 11th annual Mercedes Marathon and half marathon on Feb. 12 in Birmingham.

Their purpose and inspiration for running was “Speed The Light,” a student-initiated, volunteer, charitable program that provides much needed equipment to missionaries across the country and in more than 180 countries around the world.

Since its inception, STL has raised more than $220 million for missionary equipment.

Over the past three years, this group of inspired runners has raised thousands of dollars for Speed The Light through pledges and donations.

“Each year, more and more people join our cause and catch the vision of Speed The Light and not only better the world by spreading the gospel, but better themselves by pushing their bodies to new limits,” Erron Price said.

This year’s national STL theme is “Relentless.”

“If we become Relentless for the things of God, we are capable of accomplishing extraordinary things, like 26.2 miles,” Price said.

The group uses as a motto Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”