50 States HALF Marathon Club members at Delaware Running Festival ...

50 States HALF Marathon Club Member Wins 2nd Place for Best Costume at Movie Madness Half Marathon

Fifty States HALF Marathon Club member Mary Steinmann wins 2nd place for best costume at Movie Madness Half Marathon in Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania!

50 States HALF Marathon Girlzzzzz Rocked the house at Portland

Pre dinner get together, Fifty States Half Marathon Club members at Rock'n'Roll Portland Half Marathon

NEW Minnesota Half Marathon Discount added for members to Inaugural event

New discount added for Fifty States Half Marathon Club members, to the new Inaugural half marathon in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, ......

The Original 13 Half Marathon

July 4th 2013

The All New 500 Endurance Challenge Announced! Complete a Total of 500 Marathons, Half Marathons, 70.3 Half Ironmans or Full Ironmans ...

SO, .... You didn't think you were going to STOP at 100, did you? :)

The 500 ENDURANCE CHALLENGE IS HERE ...... www.halfmarathonclub.com and officially added to our home page.

Take on the 500 Endurance Challenge™ and finish 500 Half Marathons, Full Marathons, 70.3 Half Ironmans, or Full Ironmans ANYWHERE in the WORLD, ANY STATE, ANY COUNTRY. This challenge is exclusive to either members who have completed at least one of our other official challenges as a member, or complete at minumum 250 of the 500 total events while in membership status.

Fifty States HALF Marathon Club Member Photos 2012 - 2013

Fifty States Half Marathon Club Various Member Photos 2013 - 2014 (More will be added soon)!

www.halfmarathonclub.com

Fifty States HALF Marathon Club Members Enjoying a Fun Dinner - Indy 500 Festival Mini Marathon weekend

A bunch of our awesome Fifty States HALF Marathon Club members having their pre-race dinner, night before the Indy 500 Festival Mini Marathon "Half Marathon"!

New COLORADO Discount added to INAUGURAL Area 13.1 Half Marathon Denver ...

New discount added to the INAUGURAL Area 13.1 Half Marathon Denver (taking place in Castle Rock, Colorado), for Fifty States HALF Marathon Club members!  This is a NIGHT Half Marathon which will take place Saturday September 14th 2013.


AREA 13.1 is a nationwide Half Marathon Series originating in Roswell, Georgia. This is a night race; seriously when have you ever heard of aliens invading during the day?

All runners will receive an “out of this world” extraterrestrial-friendly shirt and swag bag equipped with glow in the dark tools needed to ward off those pesky aliens. Finishers will receive their very own die cast “I Escaped the Invasion” medal. Sponsor giveaways and much more. The Invaders are coming. Will you escape?

http://alienhalf.com/race-info-d/

MICHIGAN Discount added to the Charlevoix Half Marathon .....

New Michigan discount added for Fifty States HALF Marathon Club members, to the Charlevoix Half Marathon to take place June 22nd.


Run a beautiful course in one of the most beautiful cities in the US- the Charlevoix Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k, 5k.

Great course. Incredible awards. Amazing medals. Outstanding food. The best volunteers! Fully stocked aid stations AND MORE!

http://charlevoixmarathon.com/

NEW Discount added to Inaugural Half Marathon in Quilcene, Washington

New Discount added for our members to the INAUGURAL Quilcene Oyster Half Marathon  The event also includes a 5k and 10K and will take place 9/28/2013.  The course is being certified by USATF.

The run takes you over a bridge with spanning salmon, run thru farm and countryside with views of the bay and mountains.

Celebrate your run afterwards with oysters in the half shell, tasting of local ciders, wines and ales and a local cheeses.

http://quilcenehalfmarathon.com

NEW Discount Added to INAUGURAL National Nurses Half Marathon in Red Rock Canyon

New discount added for 50 States HALF Marathon club members for the INAUGURAL National Nurses Half Marathon in Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas, Nevada. This will be a BEAUTIFUL course and a GREAT event!

www.nationalnurseshalfmarathon.com

Discount added to Lime Rock Half Marathon - Lakeville, Connecticut

NEW Connecticut Discount for Fifty States Half Marathon Club members to Lime Rock Park Half Marathon in June!  The Lime Rock Park Half Marathon is Connecticut's newest half marathon and will run a moderately challenging course in Salisbury starting and finishing with 1 lap on the famous Lime Rock Park race track. The accompanying 5K will give family and friends of the half marathoners their chance to run 2 laps around the track.

www.limerockparkhm.com

Twin Reservoirs Half Marathon Discount added in Holyoke, Massachusetts

NEW Holyoke Massachusetts Discount added to The Twin Reservoirs Half Marathon for Fifty States HALF Marathon Club members! The event will treat runners to more than 6 miles on the beautiful groomed trails around the Whiting Street Reservoirs and Ashley Pond starting and finishing on the challenging hills of Holyoke Community College.

www.twinreservoirshm.com

Discount to the Killington Half Marathon in Vermont, a challenging course, has been added for Fifty States HALF Marathon Club members!

www.killingtonhalfmarathon.com

New Member Discount to Black Bear Half Marathon - Waterville Valley, New Hampshire

NEW Discount added to Black Bear Half Marathon in Waterville Valley New Hampshire for 50 States HALF Marathon Club members, .... which will take place August 25th this year! The Black Bear Half Marathon will take you on a scenic tour of one of New Hampshire's most beautiful towns, along quiet country roads, finishing in the center of the quaint village.

www.blackbearhalfmarathon.com

Freeport Half Marathon in Maine - New Discount for members

MAINE NEW DISCOUNT to the Freeport Half Marathon scheduled to take place this September 2013! The Freeport Half Marathon is returning after a 1 year hiatus under new management - bringing back a fun and moderately challenging course in Freeport and Brunswick starting and finishing in downtown Freeport. The accompanying 5K will give family and friends of the half marathoners a chance to run their own race.

www.freeporthalfmarathon.com

Discount to Colt State Park Half Marathon

Bristol Rhode Island Colt State Park Half Marathon DISCOUNT added for 50 States HALF Marathon Club members. One of the newest and most scenic in Rhode Island. Water views will greet you along much of the course. The accompanying 5K will give family and friends their chance to run along the water as well.

www.coltstateparkhm.com

NEW New Hampshire Discount added - Wolf Hollow Half Marathon in Nashua

NEW DISCOUNT for New_Hampshire Wolf Hollow Half Marathon in Nashua NH added for 50 States HALF Marathon Club members. A scenic and shaded course in beautiful Mine Falls Park this November.

www.wolfhollowhalfmarathon.com

Excited to Announce 2013 Annual Awards for Fifty States HALF Marathon Club will be presented this year at the Space Coast Marathon & Half Marathon Pre-Race Dinner!!!

Excited to Announce 2013 Annual Awards for Fifty States HALF Marathon Club will be presented this year at the Space Coast Marathon & Half Marathon Pre-Race Dinner!!!  The dinner will also have a great speaker, Olympian Jeff Galloway, and we are honored to be a part of such a great Pre-Race dinner event! 

2013 Fifty States Annual Awards: Saturday Nov 31st, 2013

Space Coast Marathon & Half Marathon: Sunday Dec 1, 2013

Discount to Inaugural Race for This City Half Marathon in McDonough Georgia ....

NEW discount to Georgia INAUGURAL half marathon in McDonough, GA this May for Fifty 50 States HALF Marathon Club members! Join in and run the Race for This City Half Marathon May 18th in McDonough!

  http://www.raceforthiscity.com/#/home

Utah DISCOUNT to Vigor 13.1 Big Cottonwood Half Marathon .....

UTAH  HALF MARATHON DISCOUNT FOR MAY ..... A Half Marathon START at 7700 feet and end at 4700 feet!  Head out to BEAUTIFUL Cottonwood Heights, UTAH for this mostly downhill half marathon, VIGOR 13.1 Big Cottonwood Half, to start May 11th at Solitude Mountain Resort up Big Cottonwood Canyon in Utah!  DISCOUNT to Fifty States Half Marathon Club Members!

  http://www.vigorutah.com/project/vigor-13-1-10k-5k/ 

Discount to Portland Rock'n'Roll in Oregon .......

OREGON RUNNERS, ........ Who is ready to Rock PORTLAND in May?!   DISCOUNT to the Portland Rock'n'roll Half Marathon in Portland, Oregon for Fifty States HALF Marathon Club members. This scenic half marathon course starts and finishes Downtown Portland, adjacent to Waterfront Park.  

http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/portland

Only ONE DAY LEFT to Use DISCOUNT to RunaPalooza Asbury Park Half Marathon in New Jersey .....

NEW JERSEY RUNNERS, ... there is STILL TIME to register for the RunaPalooza! Jersey Shore 5 & Asbury Park Half Marathon! The event is THIS Saturday April 20th.  Members of Fifty States Half Marathon Club receive a DISCOUNT to this event, but The ultimate goal of RunAPalooza is to raise funds for The Special Olympics of New Jersey. The organizers of RunAPalooza events including the race directors, webmaster, and entire committee are volunteers who receive no compensation for their time. So every dollar and every runner is contributing to a great cause!

http://www.jerseyshorerelay.org/index.php

Discount to Twin Lights Half Marathon in Gloucester Massachusetts ...

MAY Massachusetts DISCOUNT to the Twin Lights Half Marathon.  Event to be held in Gloucester, MA on May 5th! Fifty 50 States HALF Marathon Club members, still time to register and use your discount! This is an "out and back course that begins at Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester and leads runners along the seacoast of Cape Ann and through beautiful downtown Rockport. The seashore will be visible for most of the race's route and allows runners a close-up of many quaint views of some of New England’s most spectacular scenery." 

  http://www.twinlightshalfmarathon.com/site7/

Discount to Five Trails Half Marathon in Leavenworth Kansas ......

KANSAS RUNNERS, .... Lookin for a MAY DISCOUNT?!  Discount to the Five Trails Half Marathon in Leavenworth, KS for 50 States HALF Marathon Club members, .... event to take place May 19th! A nice walker friendly hometown half marathon! 

  http://www.fivetrailshalfmarathon.com/

Discount to Geist Half Marathon in Indiana .....

MAY DISCOUNT to Fifty 50 States HALF Marathon Club members  FOR INDIANA: Geist Half Marathon on Saturday May 18th, you still have a month to register! The Geist Half Marathon is an Indiana non-profit corporation organized to inspire health and wellness in the children surrounding Geist Reservoir in Indianapolis, Indiana, .... so your contribution to this event is worth the run!

  http://geisthalf.com/about-us/

Discount to Famous Idaho Marathon & Half Marathon event .....

IDAHO DISCOUNT IN MAY: Are you ready to run the Famous Idaho Marathon or Half Marathon?! Discount to 50 States HALF Marathon Club members! Still time to register for the May 18th Event! 

http://www.ymcatvidaho.org/famousidahopotatomarathon

Discount to Savage Race Atlanta MUD Obstacle Course .....

Atlanta, do you like MUD Obstacle events?! Discount to 50 States HALF Marathon Club Runners to the Savage Race Atlanta MUD Obstacle Course! This event takes place on May 11th and is currently 85% full! 

  http://www.savagerace.com/atlanta2013

Connecticut Discount to Redding Road Race Half Marathon ....

CONNECTICUT DISCOUNT to Fifty 50 States HALF Marathon club members for May - Redding Road Race Half Marathon May 5, 2013. Still time to register Connecticut runners! "A Run for the Cows"

 http://www.reddingroadrace.com/

Half Marathon Discounts in Colorado ...

COLORADO  is ROCK'N with DISCOUNTS  for MAY events for Fifty States Half Marathon Club members. Discount to the Carbon Valley Half Marathon, Grand Valley Half Marathon and Fear the Deer TRAIL Half Marathon. Lot of great halfs to pick from in CO in May, but of course a discount is always a nice perk! :) Thank you to these fabulous events for supporting the running club community!

http://www.halfmarathonclub.com/Colorado_Half_Marathon_Races.html

Discount to Ojai Half Marathon ....

CALIFORNIA RUNNERS, ....Looking for a Half Marathon to do THIS MONTH STILL? Fifty States Half Marathon Club members receive a Discount to the Ojai Half Marathon in Ojai, CA Sunday April 28th event! Still time to register! http://www.ojaihalfmarathon.com/

RUNNERS UNITE - A Time to Stand Strong

RUNNERS UNITE: As a leader and friend to runners and runners' families and supporters across the nation, I want to express my deepest sympathies in this tragic incident that happened today in Boston. This is a time to unite and stand strong.  This act was cowardly, by someone very sick in the brain.  This is a reminder that EACH and every one of you make a difference, whether a small act or big, a smile, a helping hand, or even a simple act of kindness   or compassion to let someone know you care.  Sometimes we don't think about how the smallest little thing can mean so much to another.  I just wanted to let all you runners know that you and your families were on my heart today.  There should be no recognition of this coward, but I'd like to recognize all the runners and supporters who ran Boston today, whether you were able to finish or not finish, and all those that made a difference in the lives of those caught in the tragedy today, firefighters, police, government, volunteers, innocent by-standers lending a helping hand, medical personnel and so many more that deserve the true recognition on this day. I am proud to be a friend to all in the running community and inspired and humbled by so many of you.  So again, stand United, you ALL make a difference.

 ~ Nicole Blomgren, President of Fifty States HALF Marathon Club & Halfmarathonsearch.com

Join ASAP if you want to get in on the big VOTE for Choosing the 2013 Annual Member Meet-Up Location

★  3 Challenges to pick from and we're at about 170 running event discounts and growing, which makes the club worth joining event if you don't end up finishing a challenge!


★ Join asap if you want to get in on the big VOTE for the big end of the year 2013 member meet up location! The Vote of events to choose from is coming out within the week! Once the big list is voted on, then the Top 3 events voted on will be sent out the for final vote to all members! We are now up to about 170 event discounts to our members as well (AND GROWING)! So even for those who don't finish a challenge, the club membership is still worth it to be part of the club community and have access to all the discounts!

★ ALSO OUR CLUB WELCOMES MARATHON RUNNERS AS WELL! We DO have the 50 States Endurance Challenge for those that want to run a marathon, half marathon, half or full ironman triathlon or mixture of any of those, in all 50 States. We do have some marathon members and some who do triathlons, and have some couples where one does marathons and one does halfs, which works out well.

★ And we have a beautiful personally engraved Gold Cup Trophy on a cherry wood base for all finishers of a challenge!

★ Come join our wonderful community of runners. You will LOVE our members, ... it is truly a welcoming, super nice group of runners and walkers, from all over the US!

www.halfmarathonclub.com

Fifty 50 States HALF Marathon Club Video

  

www.halfmarathonclub.com

50 States Half Marathon Finisher Maureen Bowen

CONGRATULATIONS TO MAUREEN BOWEN FOR FINISHING HER 50 STATES HALF MARATHON CHALLENGE!!!

Fifty States Half Marathon Club and Half Marathon Community Experience Growth in 2012

With half marathon events surpassing the 2000 total mark in the USA in 2012 with no sign of slowing, Fifty States Half Marathon membership has more than doubled, and the energy amongst the members has been heating up.

http://www.onlineprnews.com/news/266418-1348685588-fifty-states-half-marathon-club-and-half-marathon-community-experience-growth-in-2012.html

Fifty 50 States Half Marathon Club Membership / Member Video

Fifty States HALF Marathon Club will be at Durango Double

Attention Runners!  Fifty States HALF Marathon Club will have a booth at the outdoor expo at the Durango Double all weekend Friday October 5th through Sunday October 7th.  Come say hi and join us at the Brewery as well!  We are really looking forward to meeting runners from all over the US and I hear there are even several international participants!  There are BOTH Trail Running events and ROAD running Half Marathon and Full Marathon!  Looking forward to a great weekend in beautiful Durango!

Here is a video for a little enticement!

http://www.durangodouble.com/

Half Marathons Reach a Milestone and Surpass the 2000 total mark in 2012

Written by Nicole Blomgren, August 2012

The year 2012 has been a year of tremendous growth for half marathons and marks a new milestone of surpassing over 2000 half marathons across the United States.  Half Marathons are being formed as fast as we can add them to the online calendar directories.  Halfmarathonsearch.com analyzed, searched, and compared the top half marathon directory listings across the United States and came to a total of 2005 half marathons for all US States totaled, reported on August 26, 2012.  California leads the way with the top number of half marathons, surpassing the 250 mark this year and new half marathons being added almost weekly, with Florida following as second with a total of 105 half marathons reached in 2012.  Not too far behind Florida follows Utah, Texas, and the state of Washington for most half marathons in the United States.  Both Florida and Texas hit their 100 milestone this year in 2012.

Half marathons appear to be one of the fastest growing running events in the United States, with a noticeable growth trend in the rise of trail half marathons as well, most significantly in Utah and Colorado.  Additionally, many new series are being created, from the creative 5 halfs in 5 days in 5 states, to multi-state events launching 5 to 10 events in the same year, to some that are launched specifically in one state, and they are adding to the speedy growth of this ever so popular 13.1 mile event.

As events grow, the importance for Race Directors and Event Management companies to understand their audience, not only from a race day perspective, but also an online perspective in presenting the event website is critical.  A past article Event Websites in our Changing World of Technology, Social Media, and Accommodating the Traveling Athlete written by Nicole Blomgren, Founder and President of Fifty States HALF Marathon Club and Halfmarathonsearch.com, provides good insight into what events should be cognizant of in presenting their information for runners, to make finding an event so much easier.

The rate of half marathon additions does not seem to be slowing as we approach this last quarter of 2012, predicting half marathon totals to likely grow to between 2300 to 2500 by the end of 2013.  Half Marathon clubs have also seen growth in 2012, most notably Fifty States HALF Marathon Club has more than doubled over the past year.  Fifty States HALF Marathon Club provides 3 challenges for runners to choose from, most known for their 2 challenges of finishing an event in all 50 states, but becoming very popular as well for their 100 HALF Anywhere Challenge and their now new 250 Gold Member Challenge and 500 half marathon Platinum Member Challenge.  Furthermore, the half marathon 13.1 mile distance event is a nice event to travel on the weekends to. Runners can typically experience a quick recovery after finishing a half marathon, one may not encounter when participating in a full marathon, presenting the half marathon experience to be very enjoyable running distance event for runners.

 ~ Copyright 2012 - Nicole Blomgren

Our NEWEST 50 States HALF Marathon Challenge FINISHERS

Congratulations to George Pugh and Amanda Jones for finishing their 50 States Half Marathon Challenge™ (plus optional DC)!  Both Amanda and George are continuing on to also finish their 100 HALF Anywhere Challenge™!  I'm excited to be able to present both awards, IN PERSON, at our annual member meet-up and awards, this year being held in Las Vegas the weekend of Las Vegas Rock'n'Roll Marathon & Half Marathon!!!!!

George Pugh's Trophy to be presented at AWARDS - MEMBER MEETUP - VEGAS 2012

Amanda Jones' Trophy to be presented at AWARDS - MEMBER MEETUP - VEGAS 2012

NEXT UP looks to be like Maureen Bowen.  Her goal is to finish her 50 States Half Marathon Challenge™ in 2012!  Miss Amazing Bowen has lost 100 pounds over the last few years and along her half marathon challenge journey.  I will be honored to present her award upon her finish!


All 3 of these individuals have worked so hard through their journey to accomplish these challenges this year and have additionally been such awesome support, motivation and positive spirit to our other members, it has been an ABSOLUTE PLEASURE having them as part of our club!

Maryland Running Festival 1/2 Marathon & 5k New Sponsorship Announcement for 2012-2013

Fifty States HALF Marathon Club would like to announce new sponsorship / partner for the 2012-2013 season Maryland Running Festival.  Maryland Running Festival is holding an inaugural half marahton and 5k October 2012.  Additionally, official members of Fifty States HALF Marathon Club will receive a $10.00 discount on the running events.

Maryland Running Festival 1/2 Marathon & 5k

http://www.mdrunfest.com

50 States Half Marathon Challenge Finisher George Pugh June 2012

Congratulations to George Pugh, who is now a 50 States HALF Marathon Challenge FINISHER!!!

George Pugh is off to Alaska to Complete his 50th plus DC state of his Challenge

Watch out!  Here George comes Alaska!  Off to run in the Mayor's Midnight Sun Half Marathon THIS SATURDAY to complete his 50th State (plus DC) of his challenge with Fifty States HALF Marathon Club!  George has been a fantastic asset to the camaraderie in the club, and we are excited for him to cross the finish line and complete such an awesome lifetime accomplishment.  George will then continue on to finish his 100 of the 100 HALF Anywhere Challenge.  GOOD LUCK GEORGE RACE #1406!!!!!

New Optional Award for the 50 States Challenges and 100 HALF Anywhere Challenge Award

Since not all are big on trophy awards, Fifty States HALF Marathon Club has now added an additional OPTION for award for both 50 States Challenges (50 States Half Marathon Challenge™ & 50 States Endurance Challenge™) and the 100 HALF Anywhere Challenge™.  We now let members CHOOSE between our original NICE Gold Cup Award on a wood base, OR now can choose our newly offered Plaque award shown here in the pictures.

 

If members want BOTH the Gold Cup award AND the plaque, they can purchase one for an additional fee.  All members receive an award as part of their membership for finishing either challenge.

Fifty States HALF Marathon Club MEMBER CREATIVITY

Our members are fun!  Some are crazy! (in a fun way) ;)  Some are super creative!  The club is growing and we are really starting to have FUN!

And our members LOVE to create their own concoctions of creativity .......

"I got one of those cheap, "disposable" rain jackets and personalized it with my half marathon club stats." - Bethany Hall

George Pugh to Finish 50th State of his Challenge in June in Alaska!

I'd like to announce George Pugh, a member of Fifty States HALF Marathon Club www.halfmarathonclub.com will be finishing his 50 States state of his challenge (plus he has DC) ..... at the Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon & Half Marathon event in Alaska in June. We are excited for him! Yes 50 states and he's then on his way to finishing his 100 HALF Anywhere Challenge™ with our club! Wooo hooo!

We'd like to gather as many runners and spectators as possible to cheer George on as he crosses the finish line!

Fifty States HALF Marathon Club Runners Fun

Hi all! I wanted to let anyone who wants to write their stats on their calves with permanent marker, but it can be easily removed with baby oil and a lil soap :) Here are my calves Saturday in Nashville :)

Fifty States HALF Marathon Club member Ali Levering

On the Left Leg, Ali's 50 States Challenge
 and on the right leg is the 100 Half Anywhere Challenge.

Footsmart.net new Partner to offer discount to Official Members

We'd like to welcome our new Partner of Fifty States HALF Marathon Club, Foot Matters, to offer our official Fifty States HALF Marathon Club members a 15% discount at their online store:

FOOTMATTERS.NET ONLINE STORE

Have a Half Marathon Race Review? OR are you a Race Director or Event Organizer?

Feel free to share with us your Half Marathon race reviews.

What to share?

Course description:  flat, hilly, rollers, scenic

Best moment of the race?

What could they improve on if anything?

Swag?


Medals?

Food?

Aid Stations?

Post Party entertainment?

CONTACT US


Are you a Race Director or Event Organizer and want to improve your website for athletes?
Read the Article at this site
What do you Include on your Website?:  




Do you want to advertise your event on one of our State Pages at
 Half Marathon Calendar 2012 ?
We are running a special, advertise 2 consecutive months or longer and we'll give you the ad for only $100/month!!!!
Contact us for availability of the ad spot you'd like.

Fun Updates from Fifty States HALF Marathon Official Members

Bryan Pitman from Missouri - "woohoo 3 half marathons and a half ironman planned this year.....will have 6 of 50 states done and 9 of 100 half marathons/half ironmans completed by year's end!"




Michelle Johnson from Virginia - "Tinkerbell in the morning (repeat state, just for fun) and already wondering what I can possibly squeeze in the schedule before DC on march 17th. It's official...I'm addicted."




Theresa Caven of Wisconsin - "The 12 big races I did in 2011 - 2 Full Marathons, one 20 Miler and nine 1/2 Marathons."

Bryan Pitman from Missouri - "wanted to share my christmas gift that my awesome girlfriend made by hand for me......if you cannot read the top part it says: "Run because you can..Bike When you have to...Swim if you must....and it has the races I have completed...I can also hang my medals at the bottom as well....i was in shock at the thought and time she put into this....Happy New Years gang!"

Michelle Johnson's Bling - from Virginia - last 12 months of RNR bling and my other 2010 & 2011 hardware.

JANUARY 2012 NEW MEMBER PROMOTION - FIFTY STATES HALF MARATHON CLUB

NEW MEMBER PROMOTION!  Everyone who joins Fifty States HALF Marathon Club in January 2012 will be submitted into our January Hat Drawing for a FREE Fifty States HALF Marathon Club long sleeve club T-Shirt. One person will win this drawing and we will get their size once a winner is picked out of the hat.  The drawing will take place February 1st 2012 and announced immediately!

For Membership information, please visit our official website at:

www.halfmarathonclub.com

Halfmarathonsearch.com US Half Marathon Calendar 2012 Updated

Hello Runners!  The Halfmarathonsearch.com US Half Marathon Calendar for 2012 should be all updated with the exception of a few unknowns and event sites down.  There are some events who have not updated their date yet for 2012, but we are working on trying to obtain those new dates.

www.halfmarathonsearch.com

Holiday Special! Less than One Week Left!

Less than a week left of our Holiday Special!  Become an official member of Fifty States HALF Marathon Club by January 1st 2012 and receive a FREE large club sticker - decal!

For more information on membership, please visit our MAIN website at www.halfmarathonclub.com

 

ADVERTISE WITH US AND REACH LOTS OF RUNNERS

Advertise with us in a variety of places and reach lots of runners! We have a large variety of monthly pricing and options, including discounts for advertising for multiple months!



ADVERTISE ON OUR HALF MARATHON BLOGS.  HERE IS THE HALF MARATHON BLOG IN EVERY STATE DIRECTORY

http://halfmarathons.blogspot.com/



ADVERTISE ON FIFTY STATES HALF MARATHON CLUB MAIN SITE:


www.halfmarathonclub.com



ADVERTISE ON ANY STATE OF THE HALF MARATHON CALENDAR HALFMARATHONSEARCH.COM

www.halfmarathonsearch.com

 

FOR ADVERTISING PRICING:

http://halfmarathonclub.mybigcommerce.com/advertising/

Welcome Hollywood Half Marathon as a NEW SPONSOR of Our Club and Halfmarathnsearch.com

We'd like to welcome Hollywood Half Marathon as a NEW SPONSOR of Halfmarathonsearch.com and Fifty States HALF Marathon Club!  Official members of Fifty States HALF Marathon Club will receive a discount to the event.  Their event takes place on April 7th 2012.  For all the exciting details of the event, please visit their official Hollywood Half Marathon website at:

www.hollywoodhalfmarathon.com

Membership *** SPECIAL*** Running Through January 1st 2012

Join Fifty States HALF Marathon Club as an official member by January 1st 2012 and receive a FREE large size Fifty States HALF Marathon Club sticker - decal, your choice of red or blue!!!


For more information on membership, visit our official web page

www.halfmarathonclub.com

COLD WEATHER TRAINING by Paul “Crazy Legs” Stofko RRCA Running Coach

Cold Weather Training
Article By: Paul “Crazy Legs” Stofko RRCA Running Coach
November 3, 2011

Cold weather training requires a little extra planning and protection before you head out the door. Your body loses heat quickly in cold weather due to convection (heat loss due to motion), conduction (transfer of heat due to temperature changes), evaporation of moisture, and radiation (transfer of energy caused by the difference between skin temperature and ambient temperature). The right layers will protect you from the elements without weighing you down. Cold can take it toll on your performance and comfort. And frostbitten skin is always a risk. But if you take some simple precautions, you can maintain your mileage in anything weather winter bring your way.

The challenge in dressing for winter training is not only to keep the winter chill and wetness out, but to manage the heat and moisture your body produces as well. Even in subfreezing temperatures your body produces a lot of heat and sweat. You can produce up to two liters per hour when running. Water conducts heat away from your body 25 times faster than air – great in summer, but dangerous in cold temperatures. Staying dry under your layers is critical and can impact heart rate, as well as comfort, dryness, and warmth.

Here are some tips for dressing in layers:

First Layer

Forget cotton. It holds moisture next to your skin. Choose the new lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics that hold a very small percentage of their weight in moisture. Performance microfibers hold less than on percent of their weight in water compared to 17% wool or 8% cotton.

Second Layer

If you running in very cold weather, you may need a middle layer to trap the warmth your muscles generate. Choose a layer that produces maximum warmth with minimum bulk. Synthetic fibers have an advantage of staying drier than natural ones.

Outer Layer

Fibers have been developed that block the elements without trapping too much heat and moisture underneath. Look for waterproof fabrics that vent.

Hands and Head

Up to 40% of your body’s heat loss occurs from the head due to a large blood supply, extra surface area, and the mucus membranes of the nose and mouth. Choose thin microfiber hats and lightweight gloves liners for your hands.

Don’t forget your feet

Cotton is a bad choice for socks. Look for synthetic socks that won’t hold moisture and become packed down when damp.

National Half Marathon Club catered to ALL Half Marathon Runners

The time has come where Fifty States HALF Marathon Club is stepping it up and growing discounts and perks for Half Marathon runners.   The club is a central resource for half marathon runners to find half marathon races, meet other half marathon runners at races throughout the US, build camaraderie amongst the half marathon community, receive discounts to many events across the United States to many popular races, and also other discounts such as Road ID, Apex Nutrition, and many more in the works.  The organization is now at a point to announce the club as a national half marathon club open to all runners that choose to join, with no requirement to participate in one of the specific 50 State Challenges or 100 HALF Anywhere challenge if they so choose not to.  Over the next year, club members can expect to see a significant increase in the amount of races added to the discount list, increased partnerships to provide additional discounts and perks, and lots of new member apparel and gifts for the half marathon community added to the online store for members and non-members of the club.  The discounts alone pay for your annual member dues, hence this being a great deal to the half marathon running community.  This is also a great resource for the half marathon race event community, since the club is extremely connected in the "half marathon world" and will continue to play a crucial central presence in the half marathon community, with growing half marathon runner membership and continued support of maintaining a national half marathon calendar free to the running community.

NEW Official Fifty States HALF Marathon Club Stickers - Decals

NEW Official Fifty States HALF Marathon Club Sticker - Decal now on sale at our official club website online store www.halfmarathonclub.com

Half Marathon Member Milestones

Congratulations to Gloria Hinton and Ivy Kusler for surpassing 25 states of their 50 state Challenge!

Half Marathon Addict Stickers - Decals and Fifty State HALF Marathon Stickers

We now have Half Marathon Addict Stickers - Decals for purchase at our online store


www.halfmarathonaddict.com


We will be getting larger size stickers, shirts, and other gear in soon!


This also includes more Fifty States HALF Marathon Club member stickers, member logo'd apparel and gifts as well for our official club members.


Perfect running gifts and knick nack gifts for Birthdays, Xmas and stocking stuffers!

Half Marathon - 50 Half Marathon announcement of the 100 Half Anywhere Challenge

Congratulations to Fifty States HALF Marathon Club member Petra Hoy for reaching 50 half marathons of the 100 HALF ANYWHERE Challenge!!!  HALF way there!!!  Petra is working towards both the 100 HALF Anywhere Challenge and our 50 States Endurance Challenge running in all 50 States!  

Half Marathon 25 State Finisher announcement - Half way there!

Congratulations to our Fifty States HALF Marathon Club member Steve Weber for hitting his half way mark of 25 states this summer and Loree Hoag who is about to run her 25th State at midnight on Saturday this weekend in Las Vegas!!!

Half Marathons, Half Marathon Runners, Race Directors & Event Organizers

Hi Half Marathon Runners, Race Directors and Event Organizers.  Feel free to email us Half Marathon Race News and Stories to post on our blog.  To send news, articles or fun information, please send us which Half Marathon State Blog you'd like it posted in at   CONTACT US

Also if you'd like your event or any other discounts to be added to the official Fifty States HALF Marathon Club Member Discount List that goes out to all our members across the United States, please send your event, website link and race discount code to be added for our official members to use.  Our members like to choose from races on our discount list when they look at choosing a half marathon in your state.  Send to  CONTACT US  and in return we will help promote your event.

If your Half Marathon event is missing from the Half Marathon Race Calendar found at www.halfmarathonsearch.com and would like to be added, please send the event date, name, and website link to   CONTACT US

FEATURED PARTNER & HALF MARATHON: Run Wisconsin Dells Half Marathon June 5, 2011

http://www.rapidrunning.com/

Half Marathon 2011 Race Calendar - Exclusively Half Marathons across the USA Search by State, Sorted by Month

TO VIEW HALF MARATHON 2011 RACE CALENDAR - CLICK HERE AND THEN CLICK ON THE STATE YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR A HALF MARATHON IN


http://halfmarathonclub.com/Upcoming_Races.html

New Window Decal for all Official Club Members Being Sent Out!

Five half-marathon training tips | The Indianapolis Star | indystar.com

Five half-marathon training tips | The Indianapolis Star | indystar.com

Came Across this video and Thought It Would Start to Get All you Club Members Motivated for our Tahoe Member Event!

Fifty States HALF Marathon Club has officially announced the 2011 Member Event to be held in Lake Tahoe

http://www.halfmarathonclub.com/FSHMC_SPECIAL_EVENTS.html

Memorial Day Marathon, Half Marathon & 10k discount for Fifty States HALF Marathon official club members

We have a new race added to our "official" Fifty States HALF Marathon Club members discount list. The Memorial Day Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k will be May 29th! I will send update out to our members for the discount code.  Race website is at  http://www.memorialdaymarathon.com/

FOR RACE DIRECTORS & EVENT ORGANIZERS: EVENT WEBSITES IN OUR CHANGING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY, SOCIAL MEDIA & ACCOMODATING THE EVER-GROWING TRAVELING ATHLETE

As new Marathons, Half Marathons, Triathlons and many other events continue to pop up all over like a spreading fire, the importance of knowing your audience is key. As Founder and President of Fifty States HALF Marathon club and being a key contributor to endurance runners and Half Marathon race calendars on the web, I myself couldn’t be more frustrated with an event website when I land on the webpage and can’t even find the city and state on the homepage of the event. Sometimes even the date of the event is missing from the homepage and you have to dig for it buried in other sub-pages.
Race organizers and Race Directors creating a website sometimes seem to create their website catering to believing that most participants are local and already know where the race is. The growing popularity of the traveling athlete, desire to travel to various states or countries to participate in events, makes information on the event website valuable to attain market share to the traveling athlete.

TIPS FOR RACE DIRECTORS AND EVENT ORGANIZERS TO CREATE INFORMATIVE TOP NOTCH EVENT WEBSITES

CHECKLIST FOR THE “MUST HAVES” ON HOMEPAGE
1) City & State (You’d be surprised how many event sites do not have this. Very frustrating for non-local participants and maintaining national race calendar sites)

2) Date of event (believe it or not there are a lot of sites that do not have this on their home page and participants have to dig for it)

3) The DAY of the event is also very helpful (ie: Saturday or Sunday).

4) ALL Race distances (Marathon, half marathon, 5k, etc) listed on “home page”, not buried in other links to figure out if there are various other distances in addition to the main event distance.

5) A CLEAR and CONCISE “Link” to “EXACT LOCATION” with FULL ADDRESS

Most participants that are not local have to do a lot of extra work to find the location because event organizers do not put the address of the event location anywhere in the website. Participants like to use online maps or utilize GPS in their car or rental car when traveling, to locate the event, so I can’t emphasize enough how important a “full address” is of the event location.

6) And finally, having a “race date” planned well in advance, ideally one year ahead. Many traveling athletes plan their race calendar one year in advance. The sooner you have the date published on your website, the sooner it is updated on sites like our Fifty States HALF Marathon Race Calender , and the sooner athletes can add that race to their race calendar for their travel plans. We start looking for new race dates a year in advance when updating our website.

NICE TO HAVES

In addition to the “must haves,” social media and various websites definitely follow as “nice to haves” on an event website. Connecting with the running community, triathlon community, and other athletic event communities on sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, etc. (where participants can read about feedback about the course, connect with others about their experience of the event in past years, and join the community of others who will be participating in the upcoming event and share the excitement of the anticipation), and partnering with Race Calendar (advertising your event where the community looks for the best race to attend), can all go a long way in increasing participants and giving visibility to your event.

INEXPENSIVE OPTIONS TO HAVING A WEB PRESENCE OR WEBSITE FOR YOUR EVENT

For smaller local community events who do not keep an all year round web page for the specific event, like some of the YMCA’s, YWCA’s or events just starting out, this ALL can be accomplished at NO COST or very little cost. Race Organizers can create a one page Blog in Google Blogger to appear almost exactly like a website (kind of like our official blog http://halfmarathonclub.blogspot.com/ but “without the ongoing content added”, and leave this posted with all the above mentioned “must have” checklist” posted on the BLOG. This is FREE, and at least gives your event its own identity and a place for the public to look for the details of the event. You can then share your blog link via facebook or twitter, and with race calendar sites like ours. This can be a valuable tool to at least avoid your participants having to click on an expired Active event listing from previous years, with no event site to go to for future details. Another very inexpensive means for an ongoing event site is Yahoo business. It is inexpensive and you can create your own website within an hour with their easy to use templates, walking you through step by step how to set up your website, allowing your event to have its own domain you choose.
In summary, the number of events popping up will continue to grow and the market will remain competitive. Even though the trends show there is no shortage of participants in the ever-growing events such as marathons, half marathons, or triathlons, it is still important to be aware of the “user experience” you are providing your participants, starting from the very first step of when that individual visits your website and decides if it is an event they would like to add to their calendar for the year.

© copyright 2010 Nicole Blomgren & Fifty States Half Marathon Club LLC