Rules: To
be accepted as a valid marathon or ultra, each event must meet the following definitions:
1.
A marathon must be the full distance of 26 miles 385 yards (42.195K) and an ultra is
defined as any distance greater than the marathon distance.
For a non-certified course to count, the race organization must make a good
faith effort to insure that the course is at least the marathon distance. The event must be announced as a marathon or ultra.
The participant must traverse the entire race course as defined by the organizers.
2.
The event shall have an announced race director, race organization, or running club to
supervise and take responsibility for the event, and be available to certify the runner's
completion of the distance. It must have had advanced publicity in a running publication,
magazine, newspaper, web site or race brochure. Verifiable
results must be maintained and/or posted to the general public.
3.
The event shall have a minimum of 5 starters and 3 finishers. If an ultra and a
marathon are being held simultaneously, the combined number of runners must meet this
rule.
4.
A marathon shall be run without interruption except for natural events such as a
thunderstorm. A run temporarily interrupted by a natural event can be counted
if at least 26 miles 385 yards has been completed, and if it was allowed by the race
director.
5.
A stage or multi-day event will only count as one event unless a participant can register
for single stages of the event.
6.
Completion of at least one 26.2 mile portion of an ultra may be counted as a marathon, if
the race director so designates. Similarly, if permitted by the race director,
completion of a minimum distance greater than a marathon in any ultra event may be
considered as an ultra. However, if the race director and race rules do not accept
those shorter distances as an event, then it cannot be counted.
7. Each member shall retain some information to substantiate each event, such as: a
finisher's certificate, published event results (www.marathonguide.com, result card,
result book, newspaper, etc.), race bib number AND
medal (both required for this option).
8.
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.
9. The marathon portion of a full triathlon or Ironman event may be counted as a marathon.
10.
Guides, ultra distance “handlers”, pacers, and bandits may not count the event
if they did not have assigned bib numbers and verifiable finishing results . One must be a registered participant for the event
to count.
11.
If a race does not allow an early start, the participant taking an unofficial early start
(not permitted or recognized by the race director) may be disqualified by the race
director and the race can not be counted towards completion of the states.
Guidelines:
1.
Both marathons and ultras are counted towards completion of the states.
2.
If a member is allowed to start a race early, it is the responsibility of the member to
ensure that the race committee corrects that member's time accordingly.
3. Completion of the circuit will be accomplished when a member has completed a marathon
or ultra in each of the 50 states of the USA (DC is not required). A verification
committee will decide if a finisher has completed the circuit of the 50 states and a
complimentary trophy will be ordered and presented to the member. It is recommended
that you notify the club ahead of time so that your upcoming finish can be listed on the
club schedule page and other finishing information can be provided to you.
4.
When a member has completed the 50 US states he/she needs to email or mail a list of
the marathon/ultra completed in each state including: the name of the race, the location
of the race, the date completed, and the finishing
time to:
Verification
Committee
50 States Marathon Club
PO Box 15638
Houston, TX 77220-5638
batzrunner@aol.com (Paula Boone, Membership)
5. Hard copy documentation of the completion of each state must be sent to the
Verification Committee before a finish will be “certified”. Please
retain records as stated in rule (7) above from each of the races and upon completion of
the states, submit a copy of at least one item of proof for each of the 50 states. Please
read the rules carefully and submit any questions you may have to the Verification
committee. If there is a disagreement within the committee, please notify the Board
of Directors to help resolve any issues. Certification is not required.
6.
There is no time limit for completion of the circuit.
Examples:
1.
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.
2.
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.)
3.
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.)
4.
The Tahoe Triple which is held over three days can be counted as three races because
participants may sign up for any one of the three races.
5.
The Marathon de Sables which is a multi-day stage race
counts as one event because participants are not allowed to run single day stages.
6.
Running a 10K race four times plus 2.125K does not qualify as a marathon event, neither
does running a half-marathon twice.
7.
Running at least 50 miles of the Umstead 100 counts as an event because the race allows
participants to count a 50 mile finish once they complete at least 50 miles and less than
100.
8.
Guides, pacers, and handlers who escort registered participants and do not have their own
race number may not count the event.
9.
Time events (8 hour, 12 hour, 24 hour, 48 hour, etc.) can be counted as one race as long
as the individual covers at least 26 miles 385 yards, there are lap counters, and
verifiable results are maintained and/or posted to the general public.
10.
The Hood to Coast Relay cannot be counted because the race is not run without
interruption.
11.
“Relay for Life”, "Fat Ass", and “Big Butt” events where
there is no race director, race organization, or running club to supervise and take
responsibility for the event can not be counted because verifiable results are not
maintained and/or posted to the general public. Occasionally there are
marathons and ultras that are run in national and state parks. Sometimes the park
ranger (or person in charge) will not permit foot races in their park. Thus, the
race director will announce on his website that the event is not a race in order to stay
within the park rules. This type of race is acceptable towards a state count as long
as there are verifiable results maintained and there is a race director or organization in
charge.
These are the rules of our organization and are subject to change by the Board of
Directors.
For clarification or explanation of any of the rules or
examples, please contact any of our board members.
Revised and approved by the board of directors on 4/10/2007.
Dean Karnazes Endurance Runs Decision - 2006
In response to many inquiries from our members, the Board of Directors met to discuss the
issue of whether each marathon distance in the Endurance Runs counts towards completion of
the states. The unanimous decision follows:
The Board of Directors of the 50 States Marathon Club applauds Dean Karnazes and others
for their fundraising efforts through running marathon distances for 50 consecutive days.
On 8/7/06, we reviewed the plan for these Runs, consisting of 50 marathon distances
in 50 states on 50 consecutive days.
According to the 50 States Marathon Club rules, a marathon distance must be sanctioned to
be run on the actual date of the marathon. The following states involved in the
Endurance Run have tradional marathon standards and are acceptable to the Board: Lewis
& Clark (September 17), Boulder Backroads (September 24), Portland, Oregon (October
1), St. George (October 7), Greater Hartford (October 14), Chicago (October 22), and New
York City (November 5). Other marathon distances will not be considered for
completion of the remaining states.
This ruling will allow us to maintain consistent Club
standards. As always, we welcome your questions and comments.
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