This page will be a work in progress to showcase my ongoing challenge of running a road race in all 50 states! I’ll work on updating it periodically, but there’s a lot of info to sift through over 14 years of my road race history haha. So feel free to check back from time to time 🙂
But at least to give a little backstory… basically in 2017 when training for my first (and only) marathon, I realized that I had already done races in 6 states and figured why not push for all 50? 🤪 So thus began the great adventure to see all the sights our great United States has to offer, while keeping my body moving in the process. Sometimes hitting up more than one state in the same race!!
I set two parameters for the challenge at that original point of realization, and I’ve done my best at sticking to them since:
1 – There had to be a medal involved because of the customized rack my husband bought me after completing my marathon (see pic below – thanks for that extra push, Ricky!).
2 – Every race should be fully sanctioned by an organization, not just running mileage in state to check it off.
I did realize as I was collecting information for this post that my first two races actually didn’t have medals! Oops 😏 I can’t even find photographic evidence of my first race, let alone a medal haha. Might have to go back after I finish 50 to do an OBX race again to make sure it’s legit 😝 And the second race I ran was a women’s only 10k in Red Rock Canyon, where some sponsors were set up selling things. I did buy a necklace that day, and have it hanging on the rack to commemorate the first race I traveled cross-country to complete, so I count that. Plus it had the word ‘Fierce’ on it, which those of you I supported in health & fitness will recognize became a significant part of my identity.
I also made a slight adjustment to self-made rule #2 for Hawaii and Alaska, because of the timing of each trip and there not being a race happening during our visit. But I did sign up for virtual races in both locations, keeping to the same race route as the in-person option, if possible. I mean, it’s my challenge and I’ll do what I want! 😂
States Completed as of June 2025
(These medals are only for state races listed below…those from other races are in a separate area!)
Alabama
- 2/10/2024 in Decatur
- Carnival Frolic 5k
Alaska
- 6/19/2024 in Sitka
- Race Through Alaska (Virtual 1 Miler)
Arizona
- 1/14/2023 in Tempe
- Rock ‘n Roll Arizona 5k
Arkansas
California
- 2/7/2020 in Long Beach
- Beachmania 5k
Colorado
- 1/17/2021 in Denver
- Polar Bear 5k
Connecticut
- 11/14/2021 in Mystic
- Mystic 10k
Delaware
- 12/8/2018 in Rehoboth Beach
- Rehoboth Beach Half Marathon
Florida
- 1/18/2020 in St. Pete Beach
- St. Pete Beach Classic
Georgia
- 12/19/2021 in Atlanta
- Jeff Galloway 13.1 (Half Marathon)
Hawaii
- 12/25/2022 in Honolulu
- Kalakaua Merrie Mile (Virtual 1 Miler)
Idaho
Illinois
- 5/22/2022 in Chicago
- Life Time Chicago Spring 10k
Indiana
- 6/24/2018 in Indianapolis
- SuperHero Run 5k
Iowa
- 9/25/2022 in Council Bluffs (from Omaha, NE)
- Heartland Marathon (10k)
Kansas
Kentucky
- 11/10/2019 in Louisville
- Kentucky Marathon (10k)
Louisiana
- 2/11/2023 in New Orleans
- Mardi Gras 5k
Maine
- 12/8/2019 in Portland
- Santa Hustle 5k
Maryland
- 12/12/2015 in Oxon Hill
- Ugly Sweater 5k
Massachusetts
- 12/7/2019 in Boston
- Jolly Jaunt 5k
Michigan
- 9/10/2022 in Mackinac Island
- Mackinac 8 Mile Road Race
Minnesota
- 1/8/2022 in White Bear Lake
- Run S’more 5k
Mississippi
- 2/25/2023 in Jackson
- Mississippi Blues 5k
Missouri
- 10/1/2023 in St. Charles
- Mo’ Cowbell 5k
Montana
Nebraska
- 9/25/2022 in Omaha (to Council Bluffs, IA and back)
- Heartland Marathon (10k)
Nevada
- 10/17/2015 in Red Rock Canyon
- Goldilocks 10k
New Hampshire
- 10/25/2020 in Rye
- Wallis Sands Half Marathon
New Jersey
- 11/4/2018 in Camden (to Philadelphia, PA and back)
- Run the Bridge 10k
New Mexico
New York
- 11/26/2015 in Fredonia
- Cold Turkey 5k
North Carolina
- 4/23/2011 in Outer Banks
- Jelly Bean Fun Run (first race ever!)
North Dakota
Ohio
- 7/22/2017 in Columbus
- Color Run 5k
Oklahoma
- 2/17/2024 in Stillwater
- Viking 5k
Oregon
- 8/7/2022 in Cascade Locks (from Stevenson, WA)
- Bridge of the Gods 10k
Pennsylvania
- 11/4/2018 in Philadelphia (to Camden, NJ)
- Run the Bridge 10k
Rhode Island
- 5/5/2019 in South Kingstown
- Angry Unicorn Half Marathon
South Carolina
- 10/23/2021 in Myrtle Beach
- Ghost of the Coast 5k
South Dakota
Tennessee
- 12/12/2020 in Pigeon Forge
- Pigeon Forge 5k
Texas
- 1/20/2019 in Austin
- 3M Half Marathon
Utah
- Scheduled for 9/13/2025 in Salt Lake City
- Revel Big Cottonwood Half Marathon
Vermont
- 9/9/2023 in Manchester
- Maple Leaf 5k
Virginia
- 11/11/2017 in Richmond
- Richmond Marathon
Washington
- 8/7/2022 in Stevenson (to Cascade Locks, OR)
- Bridge of the Gods 10k
West Virginia
- 9/16/2018 in Morgantown
- Mountain Mama 8k
Wisconsin
- Scheduled for 8/30/2025 in Oconomowoc
- Lake Country 8 Mile
Wyoming
And yes, I’ve even done Washington, D.C. but most notably for the two prominent 10 mile races offered…
- 10/19/2019, Army Ten-Miler
- 4/7/2024, Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run