"As the contestants in the race made their appearance before the waiting multitude, their names were heralded, and the rules of the race were distinctly stated. Then they all started together, the fixed attention of the spectators inspiring them with a determination to win. The judges were seated near the goal, that they might watch the race from its beginning to its close and give the prize to the true victor. If a man reached the goal first by taking an unlawful advantage, he was not awarded the prize. AA 310.1"
"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."
Both passages use the analogy of a race to illustrate a spiritual principle. The EGW passage describes the rules and conditions of the race, connecting it to the idea of striving to 'obtain' the prize, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 9:24.
"In these contests great risks were run. Some never recovered from the terrible physical strain. It was not unusual for men to fall on the course, bleeding at the mouth and nose, and sometimes a contestant would drop dead when about to seize the prize. But the possibility of lifelong injury or of death was not looked upon as too great a risk to run for the sake of the honor awarded the successful contestant. AA 310.2"
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,"
Both passages discuss running a race and enduring hardship. Hebrews 12:1 speaks of laying aside weights and sin to run with patience, while the EGW passage describes the physical risks athletes took in ancient contests. The EGW passage amplifies the imagery of the race by providing a vivid description of the physical demands and dangers involved, which helps to illustrate the commitment required in the Christian life.