Racing all 50 states! (Read 812 times)

Cool idea. I would be easier than marathons in all 50 states, because you can easily fit in a 5k and still have a normal sort of vacation (and a happy spouse), and you can always find a race close. 2 states for me as well, Oklahoma and Nebraska.

http://www.50anddcmarathongroupusa.com/ http://www.50statesmarathonclub.com/50dc/index.html

Found a neat little map-making tool on the 2nd website above. It allows you to create a .GIF file with a map of the US, and each state shaded in one of up to six colors. You can use this to show which states you've run, which you haven't, which ones you've scheduled, etc. Decide the color meanings for yourself. Once you have the .GIF, post it on your blog, on facebook, your bulletin board at work - wherever you want. Here's the link... http://monarch.tamu.edu/~maps2/us.htm MTA: Get the link working

As an aside, what is the difference between the 50 states/50+DC clubs? I know some people are in both. Is one better? I'm at 19 and hope to be at 22 by October. I'll probably join one of them when I hit the halfway point.

One requires a minimum of 10 states to get into, the other requires a minimum of 20 states (or DC) to get into. One requires that you run a marathon in all 50 states, but races that both start and finish in DC don't count. The other requires that you run a marathon in all 50 states plus one in DC. Both require that you use the start or finish line as the location, and don't count middle miles. Both offer travel discounts and deals and make it easy to plan multi-state weekends or trips, as well as finding folks to room with for races. In fact, that's the whole (well, the main) reason they exist. I just haven't gotten around to joining yet. Sooner or later.

As an aside, what is the difference between the 50 states/50+DC clubs? I know some people are in both. Is one better? I'm at 19 and hope to be at 22 by October. I'll probably join one of them when I hit the halfway point.

Many of us 50 staters are in both; the clubs are very different. Well, actually, the naming is important to some... see, there's the "group" and then there's the "club". The Group: this is the 50+DC one. This is the original. You pay once, then never again. The group is very low key. I get a birthday card from them every year. To finish, you have to run all 50 states AND DC (Marine Corps or the National Marathon count... though Marine Corps technically should not because it begins/ends in Virigina). The Club: this is the one that is adamant that "DC is not a state". You pay annual dues of 10 bucks. They are VERY active... quarterly reunions, everybody knows everybody, more traffic on the website. The rules regarding "what counts" are subtly different between the two orgs, but not that much. Behind the scenes, the Group was the original. The Club was formed when a few members of the Group revolted (or got kicked, depending on what version of the story you hear ). ANYWAY, the vibes of the two orgs are very different. I totally prefer The Club. Incidentally, there's a sub-group of The Group: the half-in-half club. Run a half in 25 states.

Many of us 50 staters are in both; the clubs are very different. Well, actually, the naming is important to some... see, there's the "group" and then there's the "club". The Group: this is the 50+DC one. This is the original. You pay once, then never again. The group is very low key. I get a birthday card from them every year. To finish, you have to run all 50 states AND DC (Marine Corps or the National Marathon count... though Marine Corps technically should not because it begins/ends in Virigina). The Club: this is the one that is adamant that "DC is not a state". You pay annual dues of 10 bucks. They are VERY active... quarterly reunions, everybody knows everybody, more traffic on the website. The rules regarding "what counts" are subtly different between the two orgs, but not that much. Behind the scenes, the Group was the original. The Club was formed when a few members of the Group revolted (or got kicked, depending on what version of the story you hear ). ANYWAY, the vibes of the two orgs are very different. I totally prefer The Club. Incidentally, there's a sub-group of The Group: the half-in-half club. Run a half in 25 states.

wow - this is confusing stuff - will there be a test on this later?

Arc in the house!!! /counting...........hey I've got 7! Calif., Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, Mass., and New York!