[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Sons to Glory!

Yes, I agree. However, my thought is that this is a metaphor saying to be diligent to run in such a way as to gain a prize . . . not that there is literally just one who will win "THE prize." (like the old Highlander TV series)

I just read something very helpful (to me anyways) from Ray Comfort in his daily readings from Proverbs dated October 2:

Hyperbole is commonly used in scripture. It employs the politically incorrect and powerful word "hate" for the sake of emphasis. The Bible also says you should so love God, that all of your other affections - your love for your mother, father, brother, sister, wife, husband, and children - should seem like hatred compared to the love you have for the God who gave them to you. Hyperbole has the effect of shocking us into reality.

Extremisms like this seem so out of character for the Bible, until we realize it is exaggeration for a purpose. Perhaps saying "only one wins the prize" is hyperbole too.