What do Hawaiʻi hula traditions, an Idaho race called Jackass Half Marathon, Chicago Marathon, Kentucky bourbon-country relays, New Orleans vampires, coastal Maine miles, and Maryland’s historic JFK 50 Mile have in common?
They are all part of Episode 2 of Running, Reading, and Racing in the USA, Extraordinary Strides’ five-part summer series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary through the stories we read, the places we explore, and the races that make us want to start a wildly ambitious racecation spreadsheet.
This week, we travel from Hawaiʻi through Maryland, with bookish escapes, bucket-list races, local running gems, and the travel details that make each state feel like more than a pin on a map.
Featured states: Hawaiʻi, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, and Maryland.
You’ll hear about unforgettable reads including Molokaʻi, Hula, This Is Paradise, Housekeeping, Idaho, Train Dreams, The Devil in the White City, The House on Mango Street, The Time Traveler’s Wife, The Fault in Our Stars, A Thousand Acres, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, Interview with the Vampire, Olive Kitteridge, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.
On the runcation side, we are talking Kauaʻi Marathon and Half Marathon, The Hapalua, Maui Oceanfront Marathon, Coeur d’Alene Marathon, Jackass Half Marathon and 5K, Mesa Falls Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Shamrock Shuffle, Quad Cities Marathon, Indy Mini, Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, Carmel Marathon, DAM to DSM, Garmin Olathe Marathon in the Land of Oz, Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon and Marathon, Bourbon Chase, Urban Bourbon Half Marathon, Crescent City Classic 10K, Shipyard Old Port Half Marathon, Baltimore Running Festival, Annapolis 10 Miler, and JFK 50 Mile.
You’ll also get:
• Why Hawaiʻi deserves reading that goes beyond resort-postcard energy
• A flat-and-fast Midwest alternative for runners who want great production without a World Marathon Major lottery
• Cheryl Massey’s insider Indiana recommendations, including the scenic but spicy Brown County Hilly Half
• A little Kansas Oz magic, plus a race where themed shoes may be strongly encouraged
• Why Kentucky is made for runners who enjoy books, bourbon, bluegrass, and relay vans
• A Louisiana preview as Every Woman’s Marathon heads there in February 2027
• Coastal Maine race ideas, Chesapeake Bay running inspiration, and a few local details worth knowing before you book the trip
This is not a reading assignment or a 50-state race checklist. It is an invitation to get curious.
Choose one book. Add one race to your someday list. Then come tell us which state you would most love to read, run, or explore next.
Read. Run. Explore. Connect.
Have questions or want to chat? Send a voicemail!
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