Author Archives: prestoto

Saturday May 28 2022 State 50. This challenge has come a long way. And indeed, this final race required me to travel an exceptionally long way, just to reach the start line. The start line of the Prince of Wales Island Half Marathon, Alaska.  I flew from Charlotte to Seattle, leaving Wednesday morning around 1000. Continue reading “AK”

Sunday November 7 2021 This 49th state was a case of third time, third island, lucky. I had the Maui Ocean Front half marathon booked…cancelled in reaction to COVID. Same with Kauai Sugar Mill Half (which was actually due to take place next weekend), but the good folks of Honolulu’s Running Room did stick toContinue reading “HI”

Sunday October 10 2021 Last year’s Chicago Marathon was cancelled, this year it was on. And bloody hard.  I flew out with my friend Ryan on Saturday morning, getting into O’Hare around 1300. We took the blue line train to the city and checked in to the hotel – a Travel Lodge – which wasContinue reading “IL”

Saturday September 25 2021 I had originally been scheduled to run the half marathon Balloon Chase during the Albuquerque International Hot Air Balloon festival, but that was cancelled as part of the popular response to COVID. It was rearranged for this year but on the weekend before the Chicago marathon, it didn’t seem the bestContinue reading “NM”

Saturday September 12 2021 I ran the Lake Placid Half Marathon to mark off state number 46. The event had been rescheduled once or twice but finally took place this weekend. I flew into Albany, leaving home early Saturday morning.  I picked up the Hertz, and grabbed lunch with Andy (+ wife and daughter) inContinue reading “NY”

Saturday August 7 2021 My race in Oregon was the Catherine Creek Classic – a point to point half marathon, the majority of which is downhill. It was a really beautiful course and located not too far from the Boise (ID) home of some friends. I had been registered for the Portland Revel half, butContinue reading “OR”

Saturday July 31 2021 I’d had a Revel race in Denver cancelled so ended up transferring my Vacation Races registration to their Rocky Mountain Half Marathon. Originally I’d been signed up for their Mount Rushmore race, but that fell, and I replaced it with another SD event.   I flew from Charlotte to Denver FridayContinue reading “CO”

Saturday July 24 2021 With the organisers of Bloomsbury in Spokane WA, refusing to host the race, several times, eventually I gave up and looked at other options. I read about the Jack and Jill event and it sounded good – very highly regarded, downhill point to point and fast (half or full). I signedContinue reading “WA”

Saturday May 30 2021 I had booked the Wyoming Half Marathon in 2020, but it was cancelled then rescheduled as a response to the country’s corona virus reaction. Becca had been unable to make the reschedule date so I deferred until 2021 and here we are, it finally rolled around.  In theory, I was alreadyContinue reading “WY”

Saturday April 3 2021 The long Easter weekend presented a great chance to get away for a race. This time it worked out as a trip with friends from work. Four of us flew into Phoenix on Good Friday, picked up the car & grabbed some Mexican for lunch, before checking in to our AirContinue reading “AZ”