Running the race - Finishing strong

Paul describes himself and fellow Christians as being in a race. There are several things in Scripture that can be seen as parallels to running a race.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul tells believers to imitate him as he imitates Christ and in the book of Hebrews we are told to look to Jesus in this race.

Hebrews 12:1-2. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing  our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.