Running a marathon in every U.S. state at 14 years old? That's Nik Toocheck
From Alabama through Wyoming, Nik Toocheck completed 50 marathons in all 50 American states when he was just 14. Now, at 20, he has all the wisdom and stories he gained from that huge achievement
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For the more curious American long-distance runner - one prone to collecting medals, let’s say - the appeal of running a marathon in every state is clear. There are 1,910 members of the 50 States Marathon Club, but the youngest to achieve the feat is Nik Toocheck.
He was just 14 years and two months old when he completed his 50th race, back in 2017. He ran his first marathon when he was nine years old.
Since then, he’s also completed the challenge of running a marathon on each continent (including Antarctica), and now, at 20 years old, is in the throes of climbing the highest volcanic peak on each continent. Again, Nik wouldn’t be the first to achieve this, but he is aiming to be the youngest.
Maybe the most famous 50 States club member is Dean Karnazes - the subject of the feature film UltraMarathon Man: 50 Marathons, 50 States, 50 Days. Criticisms abound that such escapades are simply exercises in marketing and completing a task, rather than steely-eyed competition, but I think that misses the point, and somewhat minimizes the very, very definite accomplishment of running 50 marathons, let alone a marathon every single day for almost two months.
If this completionist behavior, akin to collecting every Pokémon, has less to do with winning in the old-fashioned podium sense, what is the goal, then? I spoke to Nik about his learnings.
5Ks at 5 years old
An active child (“I could never sit still”), Nik started running with his father when he was just five years old. They soon found out that he just wasn’t getting tired. He soon ran his first 5k and never looked back.
“A lot of people view running as a punishment because they messed up and had to go run a lap, but for me, it was fun. I loved the freedom of it, and especially doing it with my father - being able to have that bond and come together was something that was just the two of us.”
Clearly, Nik always had a brighter overall view on running than many, but in the tough moments that come for us all, what did he do to make running suck less?
“When I was trying to do the 50 states, I was raising money for a non-profit organization called the Seva Foundation. If it felt difficult in the moment, I could remember that I wasn't doing it only for me. Having a secondary goal was nice to have that extra motivation.”
Over the course of his escapades across the world, Nik has raised over $50,000 for charities that help underserved children and blindness prevention. That’s certainly an incentive.
Along with that big-picture thinking, Nik also suggests not being afraid of failure and taking a walk break. Two things that also require a 30,000ft view of what you’re doing. I guess that’s something you learn while running dozens of marathons around the world.
The Travel Bug
In the context of his volcanic challenge, Nik speaks of his love of travel guiding his quests, so what did he learn while traversing the vastness of the USA at that young age?
“There's beauty everywhere you go. We live in a giant country and a lot of times, people aren't going to be like, ‘Yeah, let's go to Arkansas!’ It’s not really people's number one destination, but you go there and the people are just fantastic - they’re so nice. Being able to experience all the different cultures and areas was one of my favorite takeaways from doing the 50 States.”
As runners, our lives are inextricably linked to global processes, places, and people. Our running gear is manufactured in China, Cambodia, and Bangladesh. The holy grails of marathon medals lie in London, New York, Tokyo, Boston, Chicago, and Berlin. The message boards upon which we convene to discuss advice on our latest woes and successes know no geopolitical boundaries.
But isn’t all that travel a huge extravagance? All for a Guinness World Record?
With Taylor Swift’s private jet use constantly in the news, though, the effect of air travel on climate change is something we’re more and more conscious of. Indeed, air travel is predicted to contribute 25% of global carbon emissions by 2050. It’s not great, but people in every single country on planet Earth want to bear witness to The Eras Tour.
Similarly (this bit is a joke), Running Sucks is read in 65 countries (this bit is true). Tell us where you’re reading from in a comment, and you’ll immediately be part of a brilliant new conversation.
My point? There is no arguing that air travel needs reform and maybe a paradigm shift in how it’s thought about, but we gain so, so much from first-hand exposure to the rest of the world. Life without it feels unthinkable.
Our Culture
A few of those marathons were ultra marathons, and Nik talks about enjoying the more leisurely pace, the conversations, and the camaraderie. Indeed, it’s that last one that he identifies as a key component of running culture.
“No matter where you go in the world, every single one of you is showing up to that start line together. If you don't have a Gatorade, somebody is going to give you a sip. If you don't have an energy bar, somebody else is going to give you one. You're never alone in a race.”
“We've met so many people through these races that we never would have met otherwise, and have had in my life for over 10 years now. These are lifelong friends and, a lot of them, I consider family now just from going to those races and showing up to that start line. It really shows the power of running.”
Star Trek fans will appreciate the never-ending search for the final frontier, but that’s still in space. Conquering challenges on humble Planet Earth requires going faster, for longer, or - in Nik’s case - being younger. It requires doing more than what has been done before.
While the challenge of overcoming one’s self is constant and internal, the joy and recognition of doing something unique and more than your peers is only there until someone else comes along and takes your crown.
If that time-consuming quest for a singular achievement is gnawing away at you, collecting smaller achievements along the way is what can keep you going. It could be one of 50 marathon medals. It could be a deeper understanding of a new-to-you place.
We’re always thinking about who could run a faster 100m or marathon, or how maybe it’s time for you to run a distance longer than a marathon, but it’s also important to respect and appreciate the process.
Maybe the real treasure is the friends you make along the way.
Ways to make running suck less covered today
Take walking breaks if you’re feeling tired
Appreciate the moments, as well as the medals
Explore the world and experience different cultures
Don’t be afraid of failure - whatever that means to you
Run for charity to give you an incentive to push through
Running Sucks Haiku of the Week
RIP Kelvin
The fastest marathon run
That medal lives on
It was very sad to hear that Kelvin Kiptum passed away in a car accident. He appeared to be a generational talent and I think that everyone expected him to be the one to break the 2hr mark in the marathon. Now we’ll never know. Let it be a stark reminder to seize the day and make your mark however you can. You never know how long you’ve got left.
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Where do you get all these great people! Congrats.. another fascinating story!