What can a great book, a bucket-list race, and a memorable local running route tell us about a state?

Welcome to Episode 1 of Running, Reading, and Racing in the USA, an Extraordinary Strides five-part summer series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary through the stories we read, the places we explore, and the finish lines we dream about.

In this first episode, we travel alphabetically from Alabama through Georgia, pairing iconic books, popular reads, and unexpected wild cards with must-run races, racecation inspiration, local running gems, and a few delightfully specific state facts along the way.

Featured States: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, and Georgia.

We are talking Rocket City Marathon, Mount Marathon Race, Lost Dutchman Marathon, Little Rock Marathon, Big Sur International Marathon, BOLDERBoulder, Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, Gate River Run, and the AJC Peachtree Road Race.

On the reading side, expect everything from To Kill a Mockingbird, Homegoing, Into the Wild, The Great Alone, Stargirl, True Grit, East of Eden, White Oleander, The Joy Luck Club, The Shining, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Bad Monkey, Swamplandia!, The Color Purple, and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

You will hear why Mount Marathon is often called one of the toughest 5Ks in the world, why California belongs on every runner’s racecation radar, what makes Florida running both magical and mildly unhinged, where to chase desert views in Arizona, and which states deserve more attention from readers and runners alike.

Tell me what I missed and what you’re adding to your must-run list, then subscribe, share with a running-and-reading friend, and leave a review so more people can find the series.

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