Inspiring Runner Story-
Alaska will be State 49 in my quest for 50. And it will be marathon 92.

I did my first marathon when I turned 30 and 2nd when I turned 40. When podcasts started, I got more into running and heard about Marathon Maniacs and the crazy amounts of races some people do.

I started doing more and more and did my 50th marathon on my 50th birthday at Skidaway Island in Georgia in 2018. (My dad and 12 friends from around the country came to cheer me on) Since then I’ve been going for 50 States while at the same time continuing my streaks. I have done the last 16 Cincinnati Flying Pigs and the last 12 Chicago (my home town) Marathons.

My 50th will be Bay State in Massachusetts in October and my parents (86 and 82) and friends and family will come out.

Alaska has always had a special place in my heart. I had a picture of Mt. Denali on my bedroom wall as a kid, so it seems perfect to do the 49th State as State 49. I can’t wait!

Josh Mitzen
Wheeling, Illinois