50 States Marathon Club

Note on German Collazos's Facebook page: FB friends, need every prayer warrior that you can muster. There are few people who have a calling to do high performance athletic competitions much less those who will sacrifice time and energy to support someone else competing. German Collazos is a dear friend who supported Kimberly on many events and in the picture below was supporting her in the Leadville, Colorado 100 mile mountain run. German is at MD Anderson battling leukemia and fighting as hard for himself as he did to support Kimberly. And, Kim is only one of many weekend warriors he supported! I’m asking you to send this to your prayer warriors and ask for gods grace to bless German with health and wellness to heal and get back home to his family and grandchildren. Bless you for making German a part of your prayer list. Update: 11/23 - it’s with great sadness that I share that our dear friend German Collazos passed away. Your prayers comforted German and his family.
(obit)

Note on Joanne Sodano's Facebook page: Hello all of Joanne's Facebook friends. I just want to let you know that she has passed away yesterday on the 23rd of November. She had been suffering with ALS for about five years now. She had developed an infection and had gone into cardiac arrest at the hospital. I then decided to remove any life support at that time since she was not responsive and would not have survived the surgery. She's a wonderful mother and wife and she will be very much missed. Thank you those of you that have heard already and express your condolences and good wishes please everyone have a great Thanksgiving Christmas and New Year's. (obit)
-posted 11/25/21

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Bill Morton. Posted on his Facebook page from Darla Morton on 11/9/21. Bill took his last breath 5 minutes after I told him I was going home!! He's pain free and dancing with our Lord and Savior. Along with his sister and Mom!! He was tired and ready! It was only 5 hrs after morphine was started! His body had enough. I will miss him dearly as will the family. Our 30 yrs together are forever memories!! . (obit)
-posted 11/10/21

"Off to the Races: As the Boston Marathon and other races resume, Clay Shaw of York focuses on a busy fall, photographing them all" article features club member Clay Shaw. (article)
-posted 11/1/21

"90 year old comes to Mankato to run in Minnesota Senior Games" report features member Roger Hauge. (video and article)
-posted 10/25/21

" A decade on the run: What I learned from running a marathon in every U.S. state (and D.C., too)" article from member Phil Wahba. (article)
-posted 10/19/21

Bob & Lenore Dolphin combined services information:

Date: Monday, October 18, 2021
Visitation/reception: noon - 1 pm
Service: 1:00-1:30 or 1:40 pm
Escorted procession to the cemetery immediately after the service.
Graveside service with military honors (21 gun salute, etc.): 2-2:30 pm

Location of service:
Shaw and Sons Funeral Hone
201 N. 2nd Street
Yakima, WA 98901
509-453-0331
https://www.shawandsons.com/

Bob's obituary
Lenore's obituary
posted - 10/6/21

Note from Bob Dolphin's Daughter:

Hello Friends and Fans of Bob Dolphin,

Bob passed away in the early morning hours of October 2nd, just two days shy of his 92nd birthday, while in the loving care of Highgate Senior Living in Yakima, WA. Their memory and hospice care was wonderful and very supportive of Bob. He was surrounded with love and by the many early birthday cards he received.

Funeral services for both Bob and Lenore will be held in Yakima this month and broadcast via webcam for those who live far away from Yakima or understandably prefer not to travel. If you are interested in attending in Yakima please RSVP as a light lunch will be served prior to the service and there is limited space due to COVID restrictions.

Our email list for the hundreds of marathoners who knew and loved Bob and Lenore is limited so please share this with your other running friends.

Our plan is to do a short celebration of life for both Lenore and Bob on Friday, April 1, 2022 as part of the Yakima River Canyon Marathon kick off the event before the race.

In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made in Bob's name to the following charities:

Kathrine Switzer’s 261 Fearless organization that promotes running for women: https://www.261fearless.org/donate/
Yakima Greenway Foundation: https://www.yakimagreenway.org/
The National Audubon Society https://www.audubon.org/

Thank you so much for your long term friendship with Bob. We’re sure that Lenore had a marathon organized and waiting for him in heaven!

Warm regards and happy running, Jan Stensland -posted 10/4/21

Note from Glen Marumoto:
It is with great sadness I report the death of a former member and finisher Kelly Smith Watanabe. She was the first woman from Hawaii to complete the 50 states. She lost her battle with cancer. (sent 10/2/21)
-posted 10/4/21

RRCA Board President George Rehmet was featured in an article. -posted 8/26/21

We were sad to hear of the passing of Ila Brandli on 6/23/21. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her friends and family. - posted 6/23/21

Andy and Kathy Velazco's funeral service is on July 3, 2021 in Stockbridge, GA. (Obituary and memorial service)- posted 6/22/21

It has come to our attention that a few of our members have received emails about Membership Verification alerts. This did not come from the club. Be wary of these phishing schemes. The only emails you will receive from the club will be replies to your emails, newsletters and reunion information. Renewal information is on the web site in the drop-down menu under Rules/Application and then click on Renewal Form. We do not send out renewal notices by email.

Note from Mike Smith 6/16/21:
I have some tragic news. Alec Velazco, Andy and Kathy Velazco's son, called me tonight to let me know Andy and Kathy were flying to Colorado today and we lost both of them in a fatal plane crash in Centennial, CO. Alec wanted me to relay this terrible news to their friends in the running community. I'm sure I have forgotten someone, so please let them know.
Alec is going to keep us posted on the service plans.
I can't tell you how many great memories we shared with both of them over the past 20+ years, but there were lots. When you multiply it by everyone on the email, they touched lots of lives. I can already sense the loss of so many future adventures, but reflect on the ones we were able, lucky enough to enjoy too. As sad as it is for his friends, the kids should be in our thoughts. This is a link to a news story we found. (news story link) - posted 6/17/21

It has come to our attention that a few of our members have received emails soliciting donations. The club does not and will not solicit donations for any causes, charities nor individuals. Be wary of these phishing schemes. The only emails you will receive from the club will be replies to your emails, newsletters and reunion information.

------------ Notices -------------
Members!! The club has secured an arrangement with Texas Promowear to offer discounted embroidered merchandise to our members. You can choose from apparel, jackets, bags, totes, etc. with our 50 States Marathon Club logos. Many items have been added. You can also have your name embroidered on the apparel for a small additional fee. You can order directly from the web site. They have a large logo available for the back of jackets and heavier items.
http://www.companycasuals.com/50statesmarathonclub

Mike Sohaskey is the co-founder of RaceRaves, a site that runners can use to review and track their marathons, including a "smart" 50 States Map that colorfully tracks your progress based on the races in your personal profile: https://raceraves.com/

Diane Bolton is the North American Coordinator for the World Mega Marathon Ranking. There is a web site to post the totals of marathoners who have completed 300+ marathons/ultras. There is also a list of North American Mega Ranking (link)
If you are nearing your 300th marathon/ultra or have completed more than 300 marathons, please contact Diane to be included on the list.
northamericamegamarathon@gmail.com

Members,
We have added a section to the web site called "All in the Family". There you can find 50 States Marathon Club members who have family connections to other club members. You can find it on the drop down menu under Membership and it's called Families.

Want to know where you're ranked by marathon count, who's birthdays are coming up, ages our members finished the states, and all kinds of demographics? We have a feature to the club web site called Demographics. Click on Membership on the drop down menu. This is an ongoing project and we add functions to it occasionally. Play with it at your leisure. Send us updates to your marathon count, states completed, location where you completed the states, etc. Updates to our database are done nearly daily. If you haven't done so, please send us a digital photo to add to the membership list. It helps members recognize each other at the races. .jpg works best. Membership list

Beth Davenport is working to help folks find missing results for certification. Please contact her if you cannot find old marathon results and she may be able to find the results. beth.eddiesfan@gmail.com

----- Deals for our members-------
Discounts to races are offered exclusively for our members in good standing. Membership is verified by the individual races.

Mainly Marathons is offering a discount for our members. Use the code: LOONY. www.mainlymarathons.com

Dead Running Races is offering a $10 discount for our members. Use the code: DRDISC. www.deadrunning.net

The Road to 50 Marathons is offering a $10 discount for our members. Use the code for half marathon distances and above : CLUB10. http://theroadto50races.com/

Don Kern's Michigan races are offering a 10% discount for our members. Use the code: 50STATES
Groundhog Day Marathon
Millennium Meadows Marathon
Last Chance BQ Marathon Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Marathon

10/2/21 New River Marathon--Fleetwood, NC is offering an 8% discount. Use the code: 50M2021NRM. Discount is valid for marathon, half and 4 mile races (in case family members want to run a different distance) Valid through 9/20/21.
https://newrivermarathon.com/

10/3/21 Long View Marathon--Fort Collins, CO is offering a $10 discount for our members. Use the code: 50STATES
https://www.longviewmarathon.com/

10/9/21 Arkansas Marathon--Booneville, AR is offerin a $10 discount for our members. Use the code: 50STATES.
http://arkansasmarathon.run/

10/16/21 Blue Sky Trail Marathon--Fort Collins, CO is offering a $10 discount for our members. Use the code: 50STATES.
https://www.blueskymarathon.com/

10/23/21 Cannonball Marathon--Greensboro, NC is offering a $10 discount for our members. Use the code:

https://www.cannonballmarathon.com/

11/7/21 Gobbler Grind Marathon--Olathe Park, KS is offering a 15% discount for our club members. Use the code: 50SHC15OFF.
https://gobblergrindmarathon.com/

11/13/21 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon--Charlotte, NC is offering a 10% discount for our members. Use the code:50States10P.
https://thecharlottemarathon.com/

11/20/21 Magnolia Marathon--Meridian, MS is offering a $15 discount for our members. Use the code: MMHF50.
http://www.magnoliamarathon.com/

11/20/21 White River Marathon--Cotter, AR is offering a discount for our members. Please email Paula Boone batzrunner@aol.com for the code.
https://whiterivermarathon.com/

11/21/21 Route 66 Marathon--Tulsa, OK offers special perks for 50 States Marathon Club members. Register early to receive a custom race number and a special marathon medal printed in our club colors. You'll receive this medal in place of the regular medal. Be sure to choose 50 States Marathon Club on the online registration. We'll also have a private VIP Tent and fenced in outdoor area both pre- and post-race, private restrooms, private gear check and private supply of post-race food, Gatorade, water, soft drinks and beer. We'll have a booth at the expo, so pleas stop by to get your wristband.
https://route66marathon.com/maniac-corner-a-marathon-sized-party/

12/4/21 Tucson Marathon--Tucson, AZ is offering a 20% discount for our club members. Please use the code: This is the 50th running of the Tucson Marathon!
https://raceroster.com/events/2021/28326/tucson-marathon-events

1/8/22 State 47 Las Cruces Marathon--Las Cruces, NM is offering a 20% discount for our club members and also a special 50 state marathon sticker. Use the code: 50SMC.
https://raceroster.com/events/2022/51004/state-47-las-cruces-marathon

1/30/22 Big Beach Marathon--Gulf Shores, AL is offering a $10 discount for our club members. Use the code: FIFTYSTATES2022
https://www.bigbeachmarathon.com/

Kurt Civilette has formed a "50 State Marathoners Team for the Big Beach Marathon. The password to join the team is 50states. Email him with any questions about the team. kcivilette@yahoo.com

2/13/22 St. Valentine's Day Massacre Marathon--Greensboro, NC is offering a $10 discount for our club members. Use the code:
https://www.massacremarathon.com/

5/14/22 Brookings Marathon--Brookings, SD is offering a $10 discount. Use the code: 50STATES.
https://www.brookingsmarathon.com/

------Invitations to our members-----
Beth Davenport has had a good response from her local running club about a "buddy system" to have a New Mexico "buddy" for our club members travelling to New Mexico for any of their marathons. beth.eddiesfan@gmail.com

If any 50 States Marathon Club members or their families are interested in the ultimate running tour of Chicago from City Running Tours-Chicago, Marlin Keesler will personally set them up with generous discounts no one else gets (only for contacts directly connected with the 50 States Marathon Club). familyquest@att.net
http://cityrunningtours.com/chicago.html

Bethann Powers is offering 20% off each item of her "Uniquely Colorful Activewear". www.runningfunky.com