{"id":2424,"date":"2009-10-04T07:16:21","date_gmt":"2009-10-04T12:16:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.howderfamily.com\/blog\/?p=2424"},"modified":"2022-03-19T09:41:38","modified_gmt":"2022-03-19T14:41:38","slug":"fictional-geo-marathons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.howderfamily.com\/blog\/fictional-geo-marathons\/","title":{"rendered":"Fictional Geo-Marathons"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I know someone who wants to run a race in each of the fifty United States. This is a notable goal both for its endurance and its geographic sweep. I thought perhaps I could help out by putting my unusual geo-perspective to good use . Maybe I could design race courses that clip multiple states. That way the runner could minimize the amount of travel necessary in the completion of this monumental task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, except I ran into a couple of problems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are several races that actually do cross either state lines or the boundaries between a state and the District of Columbia. Extreme examples exist all over the place. For instance, the Eastern States 20 Miler & Run<\/a> for the Border Half Marathon<\/a> uses the slogan, “One Race Three States.” Indeed, the longer course, the 20-Miler, goes from Kittery, Maine to Salisbury, Massachusetts via the narrow strip of New Hampshire seacoast. However, according to my runner’s strict criteria, you can only count one state if you cross a border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second problem is that a marathon distance (26 miles plus 385 yards or 42.195 kilometres) is rather limiting when compared to even the narrowest extremities of most states. Plus my intrepid runner prefers shorter distances like half-marathons and ten milers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s a Thing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Flying<\/a>
Flying Pig Marathon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As an aside, I did uncover an organization called the 50 States Marathon Club<\/a> with nearly two thousand members. These are people who, seriously, have run an entire marathon in each of the fifty states. I don\u2019t even like to drive<\/i> 26+ miles. To think, a couple thousand people have actually run<\/i> that far in each and every state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This club uses strict rules for qualified runs and the burden of proof. Here are some of their requirements from a geographic perspective:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event must either start or finish in the state being counted. A marathon that has a route that runs into two states cannot be counted as two states; it counts as one\u2026 The Marine Corps Marathon counts as Virginia because it starts and ends in Virginia. Additionally, the National Marathon and\/or Washington DC Marathon, which begin and end inside DC do not count towards the state count because the District of Columbia is not a state\u2026 <\/p>

If a race starts in one state, crosses into another state, and returns to the original state, it may only be counted for the state where the race started and ended. (Example: The Flying Pig Marathon begins in OH, crosses into KY, and finishes in OH. It may only be counted for OH.)\u2026 If a race starts in one state and ends in another, it may be counted once for either the state where it started or where it ended. If the same event is run on a subsequent year, the race may be counted for the other state. (Example: The Hatfield McCoy Marathon begins in KY and ends in WV and may be counted for either state.)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Tough Standards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Imagine if I used strict criteria such as these for my county counts<\/a>. I\u2019d probably have to spend the night in each county and save the hotel receipt in perpetuity for it to count. Wow. County counting? Who cares. Marathon running? We don’t want any old poseur claiming he or she completed a marathon in every state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Admittedly I have a much more relaxed standard than the 50 States Marathon Club, so within that context I decided to design several fictional marathon routes that would include territory in four states (couldn’t find any with more). I knew it wouldn’t help my runner friend but the quest grew beyond the original need long ago. It’s no longer a running dilemma, it’s a geography quandary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There may be other fictional marathons and I\u2019ll gladly accept suggestions and routes in the comments so feel free to take a shot at it. They can be located in any part of the world. If you want to design a route covering four or more counties in England or Ireland, D\u00e9partements of France, or whatever, feel free to suggest it. I’m not picky. However, one ground rule, though: these can’t be hikes or trail runs, and no Jesus courses over water; routes have to go along established roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Twelve Mile Circle Marathon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n