Member-only story
The Joys of the Hometown Race
Falling back in love with local racing thanks to a 314-mile challenge
I admit it — I’ve been spoiled rotten.
The past few years I’ve had the privilege of running amazing races in incredible places.
From spruce-lined Alaskan streets to Hawaiian shores where breaching whales leap above the waves; through steep Utahn canyons decorated in vibrant fall foliage, and past gleaming monuments in Washington, D.C. — I’ve been one lucky runner.
But 2024 renewed my appreciation for sleeping in my own bed, driving to local races, and indulging in the joys of staying close to home.
When searching for ways to stay motivated this year, I noticed that the 50 States Half Marathon Club had announced a new challenge: 365 days to complete a minimum of 314 miles of racing — as long as all events were held in the same U.S. state.
I’d tired of the travel — not to mention the expense — of out-of-state racing. But 314 miles of local races? That sounded a little bit boring and a whole lot painful, the equivalent of a full marathon each month — although races of any distance were allowed as long as they added up to the magic number of 314 miles or more.
