The Finish Line

The race has begun—but what happens when the runners skip the course and go straight to the finish line? In this funny and thought-provoking skit, a group of athletes think they’ve won the race—until the starter informs them they missed the entire track!

As confusion turns to understanding, the team learns a powerful lesson: the race isn’t just about finishing—it’s about running the full course, following the Purpose, the Plan, and the Promise. Just like in life, we’re called to complete the journey, not just rush to the end.

Cast: 4 m or f

• Starter and 3 runners

Bible Reference: 2Peter 2:11

Set: standard

Sound: wireless mics if available

Song: none

Lighting: standard

SFX:

• sound of starter pistol, (or starter simply say, "ready set, go")
• flag indicating the finish line

Props:

• starter's pistol

Costumes:

• Athletes will likely be in track suits, however a very interesting effect could be made if they are dressed in regular clothing.

Special Instructions: none

Time: 4

Sample of script:

(Actors are separately walking about stage, taking deep breaths, flexing muscles, getting ready for the race. Starter comes on stage, calls all athletes to begin race.)

Starter: All right then, time to get started. Everyone line up at the starting line.

(All actors come to the finish line, staggered so that all are visible to the audience. All athletes get down in a crouch, waiting for the signal to start.)

Starter: On your mark, get set, go!

(All athletes take a step backward, run across the finish line, show joy at finishing, puffing hard from exertion, high-five each other, etc.)

Starter: And exactly what was that? You are supposed to run all the way around the course, back here across the finish line.

(All athletes look at the starter as though confused, can’t figure out what he means, shrug shoulders, frown, etc.)

Athlete 1: But, I don’t understand. We did cross the finish line!

Starter: No, you did not!

Athlete 2: I’m confused. (points to finish line) Isn’t this the finish line?

Starter: Yes, yes, it is.

Athlete 3: And did we not all in fact cross the finish line?

Starter: Well, yes, yes, you did cross the finish line, but you didn’t run around the track.

Athlete 1: I am really confused! As you admitted, we did cross the finish line. And so long as we cross the finish line, why should it matter if we ran around the track or not? I mean…

Athlete 2: Exactly! We crossed the finish line, surely that’s all that matters.

Starter: But, you don’t understand. First, you run all the way around the track, taking in the entire track, and then the end will come.

Want to see how the story unfolds? DramaShare members get this complete script— and access to our entire library—free! Not a member? You can still grab this individual script and bring it to life.