Any 50 Staters?

[marathonmommy]

There are quite a few "official" websites out there with groups supporting the idea of running a Half or Full Marathon in each of the fifty states. This sounds like such an awesome goal. Do any of you belong to one of these groups, or is it just a personal goal for you? I'd love to hear your stories, as I am SLIGHTLY considering putting this on my Bucket List.

 

[WDWFAN9]

Not 50 states for me.....I'm on www.half2run.com - the goal is to do half marathons in half the states. So far I have crossed 22 states off my list! It's been a lot of fun, we've done some cool races in places we probably never would have gone to. Several WISHers are doing the same thing and it is a blast.

 

[SAHDad]

I want to finish the 50 + DC route before I turn 50, but I have only crossed six states off the list so far. If I average three or four marathons (in new states) a year, I will be able to do it.

 

[geaux_half]

I'm running 1/2's in the 50 states (+DC). I completed my 43rd state earlier this month. The plan is to run 2 new states a year now and to complete my 50th state on my 50th birthday in May 2014 in Rhode Island.

I joined Half 2 Run and the 50 & DC 1/2 Marathon online groups plus Half Fanatics (not a 50 state group per se but getting more moons involves running in various states).

 

[escape]

Well, let's see. Since I started this at age 50, maybe my goal will be to complete 50 states by the time I'm 100. Maybe I'll win a few awards in my age group by then.

Seriously, though...I would like to do 50 states for half-marathons but my immediate goal is to reach 25 - half the distance, half the states.

 

[marathonmommy]

Not 50 states for me.....I'm on www.half2run.com - the goal is to do half marathons in half the states. So far I have crossed 22 states off my list! It's been a lot of fun, we've done some cool races in places we probably never would have gone to. Several WISHers are doing the same thing and it is a blast.

I love this idea! Much more managable . . .

I'm running 1/2's in the 50 states (+DC). I completed my 43rd state earlier this month. The plan is to run 2 new states a year now and to complete my 50th state on my 50th birthday in May 2014 in Rhode Island.
Wow! Congrats! How many do you do a year?
I joined Half 2 Run and the 50 & DC 1/2 Marathon online groups plus Half Fanatics (not a 50 state group per se but getting more moons involves running in various states).

I will have to check this one out, too!

I want to finish the 50 + DC route before I turn 50, but I have only crossed six states off the list so far. If I average three or four marathons (in new states) a year, I will be able to do it.

I missed that boat . . . I may be able to do half before 50!

Well, let's see. Since I started this at age 50, maybe my goal will be to complete 50 states by the time I'm 100. Maybe I'll win a few awards in my age group by then.

Seriously, though...I would like to do 50 states for half-marathons but my immediate goal is to reach 25 - half the distance, half the states.

I think a goal like yours is more managable for this 40.5 year old!


Love hearing all about this! Share more!

 

[BriarRabbit]

I've got 48 states done. My wife is in half2run and has 24 states. I started at age 45 and I'm 52 now. DW is also 52 and started at 49. Know your limits, train right, and you can do it! Oh...and get used to watching for airline deals.

 

[MouseDogMom]

It's not for me, but the assistant director of my Galloway group just finished his 50th state a couple of weekends ago. It's been a lot of fun listening to him "collect" his states over the past few years. And like BriarRabbit said, look for good deals. You either need a good travel budget or a LOT of frequent flyer miles!

Jackie

 

[TEK224]

I haven't joined any of the on-line sites yet, but I'm trying for the 1/2 marathon in 50 states. Only completed 7 states so far, so I have a ways to go. Problem is I like a lot of races that are in FLA or CA!

Terri

 

[marathonmommy]

I haven't joined any of the on-line sites yet, but I'm trying for the 1/2 marathon in 50 states. Only completed 7 states so far, so I have a ways to go. Problem is I like a lot of races that are in FLA or CA!

Terri

I know what you mean . . . I don't want to give up my Disney races to do one in Idaho - no offense to Idaho. It just can't compare to Disney in my eyes.

 

[WDWFAN9]

I know what you mean . . . I don't want to give up my Disney races to do one in Idaho - no offense to Idaho. It just can't compare to Disney in my eyes.

Very true! I've repeated DL and WDW several times, as well as IL since it's home....BTW there is a way cool race in Boise ID that DH and I are considering for next May - the Great Potato half. Sounds like a lot of fun!!

 

[geaux_half]

It's not for me, but the assistant director of my Galloway group just finished his 50th state a couple of weekends ago. It's been a lot of fun listening to him "collect" his states over the past few years. And like BriarRabbit said, look for good deals. You either need a good travel budget or a LOT of frequent flyer miles!

Jackie

Saturday/Sunday back to back states also help with the travel budget. I've done New Hampshire/Maine, Maryland/New Jersey, Connecticut/Massachusetts, and DC/Delaware the same weekend. I'm planning on running Drake Relays in Iowa and Lincoln 1/2 in Nebraska April 30th/May 1st next year.

 

[Benducci]

omg - now my mind is thinking of these things! Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[marathonmommy]

Very true! I've repeated DL and WDW several times, as well as IL since it's home....BTW there is a way cool race in Boise ID that DH and I are considering for next May - the Great Potato half. Sounds like a lot of fun!!

Hmmmmmmm.......the Great Potato Half? I LOVE potatoes of every kind - mashed, boiled, fried. Sounds like the race for me!

 

[WDWFAN9]

Hmmmmmmm.......the Great Potato Half? I LOVE potatoes of every kind - mashed, boiled, fried. Sounds like the race for me!

 

[cobbler]

For those that have done a lot of states, which states did you like the best and what was the race?

How do you pick the races? Do you always get a finisher medal?

 

[WDWFAN9]

For those that have done a lot of states, which states did you like the best and what was the race?

How do you pick the races? Do you always get a finisher medal?

Great question! I have a few criteria - at least a 3.5 hr timelimit and a medal are a must. Most races we've done are at a SWA destination. After that, we are open for suggestions. DH and I have done huge races and very small ones. We try to coordinate with other WISHers so that we not only cross off a state in a fun destination, but get to meet up with friends.

One of our favorites, and one of the few non-Disney states we've repeated is Indiana, the Festival 500 half is the largest half in the USA and is a blast. Indy is a great city and there was a ton of stuff to do within walking distance of our hotel. I'd also repeat Buffalo NY - I loved Niagara Falls! Surprisingly Des Moines IA was a blast too - I was so surprised at how much fun we had in Des Moines, who knew??

I find a lot of possibilities on www.half2run.com. You can search by state or by month. There are several other websites that also list races. Hanging out on WISH is also a good way to learn about different races, although I have to confess that now that DH posts so much on FaceBook I don't do race reports like I used to.

On our schedule: in addition to a couple repeats we are doing the Myrtle Beach mini in October, the Marshall half in Nov, the VA Shamrock half in March, and the KY Derby half in April. The more-the-merrier, so if any of these work with your schedule come and join the fun.

And - if you've done a fun race, please let everyone know.....

 

[cobbler]

I found a website http://www.halfmarathons.net/usa_half_marathons.html ,and I've been looking through that. For example the Santa Claus 1/2 in North Pole, AK looks like fun. But a lot of time the official race website doesn't say if they hand out finisher medals or not.

I'm thinking along the same lines as you - a decent amount of finish time and a medal is a must. Does the half2run site give descriptions of runs and if they hand out medals or not?

 

[marathonmommy]

I found a website http://www.halfmarathons.net/usa_half_marathons.html ,and I've been looking through that. For example the Santa Claus 1/2 in North Pole, AK looks like fun. But a lot of time the official race website doesn't say if they hand out finisher medals or not.

I'm thinking along the same lines as you - a decent amount of finish time and a medal is a must. Does the half2run site give descriptions of runs and if they hand out medals or not?

I feel I also need a lot or participants so there are lots of people cheering on... And so there would be less of a chance of coming in last.

 

[WDWFAN9]

I'm thinking along the same lines as you - a decent amount of finish time and a medal is a must. Does the half2run site give descriptions of runs and if they hand out medals or not?

Yes, they have a brief description of the race, a link to the official website, and past participant reviews. There are just so many cool races out there!