Running with Wells Thompson

Part of the uniqueness of the beautiful game is the game is in constant motion. There is little stopping of play and there is a fluidity to the athletes and official that are on the field. Especially for the midfield position, there is a lot of running that goes on. Data analytics have tracked averages around 7 miles in a typical soccer match — with some players running as much as 9.5 miles in a game. On today’s From the Touchline podcast episode, Wells Thompson is our special guest. Wells is a now-retired midfielder who played for many years — in college for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and then for Major League Soccer professional clubs New England Revolution, Colorado Rapids, and Chicago Fire before finishing out his career with the lower division sides Charlotte Eagles and Carolina Railhawks. Wells and I visit about his time in the game and the things that he is doing since retiring, including ultra marathoning. In his nearly 10 years of professional soccer, Wells has run a lot of miles and today we wanted to highlight Wells as he runs again for clean water in Africa. Wells is partnering with with Hydrating Humanity (a nonprofit that provides clean drinking water, hygiene education and hope to the people of Kenya and Tanzania) to raise $50,000 by running 24 hours straight on May 15th-16th. You can help by supporting his 24-HOUR RUN 4 CLEAN WATER, (click the link) or go to hydratinghumanity.org. Other ways you can help include running, walking or biking for a portion of the 24 hours and asking other people to financially support for each mile you complete! You can also, spread the word and let others know on social media and in person!  Below are links to scripture references that are comprised within the prayer at the end of the podcast and a few other links mentioned by Wells and myself during the podcast: Wells Thompson (wikipedia)Proverbs 4:12Isaiah 40:31I Corinthians 9:24-26Galatians 5:7Philippians 2:16Hebrews 12:1 From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer). Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd, available in the Apple and Google store.