State Goals

A common and popular goal for runners is to complete a race in all fifty states within the United States.  

Completing this goal takes time and can be expensive.  Soon runners have completed races they can easily drive to. 

Sometimes people with this goal consider running half marathons (or even marathons!) on back-to-back dates (ie – Saturday and Sunday) in closely adjoining states.

Counting States

Generally, a rule of thumb is to count the state that you complete the race in as the state for the race.  For example, if you run a marathon that crosses into two (or more) states, it doesn’t count as two state races.  It only counts as the state you finish in. 

Planning 

The site that is the best for selecting and planning races for the 50 state goal is Running In The USA. This includes great search features for states, distances, and dates, with links to the official sites, and even a feature to plan back-to-back races in adjoining states (“50 staters gadget”). 

50 States Groups

Completing a race in each state as a goal can be a fun way to visit all fifty states including great tourist sites and activities in each state. It also is an excellent way to build friendships and great memories via the people you meet across the nation, facilitated by 50 state groups like the ones listed below. 

• Fifty States Half Marathon Club
• Fifty States Marathon Club
• Fifty States and DC Marathon/Half Marathon Club

For all the groups listed above, there is a large emphasis and facilitation of having fellow group members meet at destination races, including annual events where special awards are presented.  These are excellent groups for networking with fellow running enthusiasts from across the country, and building and maintaining friendship and sharing running advice and memories from afar.