10 BEST States for Distance Running

I like your thinking. I want more to think like you as it keeps the best for the rest of us that have lived a little longer and experienced a little more--pure michigan.

New 2 this letsrun thing wrote:

1. cali

2. oregon

3. colorado

4. wasington

5. minnesota

6. new mexico

7. arizona

8. alaska

9. maine

10. new york

you are a fool.

I agree with both earlier points about massachusetts and the running scene. Great clubs and races and an exceptional history of running. But...it's terrible for training. Weather is either hot and humid or cold and snowy. All the old roads from the 1800s are too narrow for runners and cars and a beat to shreds by the changing seasons. During the school year in the Boston area, you can't find a track that's open to the public. There is either a team practice or some local soccer league that lays claim to the field and surrounding track.

I live in Illinois, but I'd love to run in California. Even though there is more of a running scene in New England, the weather in Cali is just too good to pass up. No doubt in my mind that it's number 1.

florida kicks california @ss

Georgia.

getting it started wrote:

New 2 this letsrun thing wrote:

1. cali

2. oregon

3. colorado

4. wasington

5. minnesota

6. new mexico

7. arizona

8. alaska

9. maine

10. new york

you are a fool.

ever been to alaska? I wouldn't mind training there this time of year.

1. Hawaii

2. Puerto rico

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X. Everywhere else.

New 2 this letsrun thing wrote:

ever been to alaska? I wouldn't mind training there this time of year.

bolded again for emphasis, this time to demonstrate my point.

Oklahoma should be a top 10.

island man wrote:

1. Hawaii

Shhh, don't tell anyone.

8====D------ {} wrote:

Oklahoma should be a top 10.

Second. 3 D1 schools ranked among the Top 30 the past two years means something for such a small state.... yet California can't do the same, ouch.

If I recall correctly, the younger Kelley grew up near my mom, not in Massachusetts but in Connecticut.

Master G wrote:

If I recall correctly, the younger Kelley grew up near my mom, not in Massachusetts but in Connecticut.

You may have him confused with someone else. Johnny Kelley was born in Medford, raised in Arlington. Both MA.

Wrong Johnny wrote:

Master G wrote:

If I recall correctly, the younger Kelley grew up near my mom, not in Massachusetts but in Connecticut.

You may have him confused with someone else. Johnny Kelley was born in Medford, raised in Arlington. Both MA.

Aha! More than one John Kelley won the Boston Marathon. John "Johnny" Kelley was from MA, won in '35 and '45 and ran it 50 times. John J. Kelley is from CT, won in '57, ran it many other times (but not as many as Johnny from MA).

having been to, and run in 40 of the "lower 48 states", my opion of the top 10:

1. Colorado

2. California

3. Oregon

4. Arizona

5. New York

6. Massachusetts

7. Utah

8. New Mexico

9. Connecticut

10. New Jersey

Massachusetts has to be either 1-2-3.

Boston marathon

Road race scene---races year round even in dead of winter.

Apparently more indoor tracks in Boston than any part of the world---due to all the colleges.

Great club scene--both local and national competitors.

Top notch runners Salazar Rogers Randy Thomas to name but a few

Good coaching resources---bill squires Tom derderian Salazar

Great competitive runners and solid recreational runners

Support---usatf ne

Marathon sports--Among others

Other top races--Falmouth road race, tufts 10 k for women

Trails--and acess to mountains in nh vt

Franklin Park---cross country venue

History--mostly due to the marathon

Massachusetts has to be either 1-2-3.

Boston marathon

Road race scene---races year round even in dead of winter.

Apparently more indoor tracks in Boston than any part of the world---due to all the colleges.

Great club scene--both local and national competitors.

Top notch runners Salazar Rogers Randy Thomas to name but a few

Good coaching resources---bill squires Tom derderian Salazar

Great competitive runners and solid recreational runners

Support---usatf ne

Marathon sports--Among others

Other top races--Falmouth road race, tufts 10 k for women

Trails--and acess to mountains in nh vt

Franklin Park---cross country venue

History--mostly due to the marathon

A lot has to do with preference and what we are considering...weather, competitiveness, college system...but as a runner I'd hope to live in either Colorado, Oregon, Washington, California, Hawaii or Utah. Maybe Mass due to how cool the running club scene is.