NatNews

For many runners, running in the same place with the same scenery and routes all of the time can become a bit mundane. Some individuals who spend a great amount of time pounding the pavement set goals to ensure that they add a little variety to their lives and their running pursuits.

One such goal that many runners seek to achieve is to run at least one race in each of the 50 states. White Rock Running Co-op member Jerod Honrath has already done so once and is currently on his second quest to run a marathon in every state. He has already raced in 29 states in Round 2, his most recent in St. Joseph, Minnesota.

“It’s a great way to see the United States,” Honrath said. “I never would have gone to a lot of these places, but marathons have opened that up for me.”

Honrath has done more than simply run in all 50 states—he’s actually run on all seven continents. A former criminal intelligence officer for the Dallas Police Department, Honrath originally began running when his first sergeant asked him to join him on a run. Since then, he has had a variety of memorable experiences.

The idea for running in all of the states came in 2013 when he was traveling with his friend Kathy Murgas and her husband in her mission to do the same. Murgas finished in 2014, and Honrath accomplished the goal in 2015. He ran in his 50th state in Hartford, Connecticut, where 25 of his people showed up to support him.

“It never got to the point where it was too big of a task,” he said. “I was single and had a lot of free time. One year, I ended up running 26 marathons, and I just started knocking off the states.”

Now married with a 1-year-old daughter, Honrath is using this second go-round as an opportunity to spend time with his family by incorporating some of his races with family vacations. But for individuals after the 50-state quest for the first time, he does not recommend trying to make extensive vacations out of every out-of-town race.

 “Financially, it will eat you up,” Honrath said.

Kevin Roberts, WRRC admin, was one of the individuals present at Honrath’s 50th state in Hartford. While he does not necessarily have a desire to run a race in all 50 states, he does hope to participate in at least one activity (running, biking, golfing, playing tennis, etc.) in every one of them.

“I have friends who have run in all 50 states, and I think that is so cool,” Roberts said. “It’s a great way to see different parts of the country. I’ve been to 42 states, but I’ve only run halves or fulls in 18. I like the idea of doing something significant in all 50. I’ve been fortunate enough to experience many cool things—golfing in Hawaii and cycling in Italy and Croatia are on the top of the list. Also, being at the 50th-state finish for both Jerod Honrath (Connecticut) and Kathy Murgas (Rhode Island) were very cool experiences."

ANOTHER BODY DISCOVERED
IN WHITE ROCK LAKE

Last Wednesday morning, a Lake Highlands High School senior and an LHHS graduate were fishing at White Rock Lake when they discovered something rather unexpected: a dead body. 

The two young men were out on a boat in the water when they spotted the body along the bank. According to Drew Harman, who thought he was simply up early to prepare to host the White Rock Fishing Derby, the man they found had a rope tied around his neck, and police indicated that he had likely been in the water for at least 3 days. It has currently been ruled a potential suicide.

This comes after two other bodies were recovered in the lake in the last few months. On Friday, March 25, a body was discovered near the lake’s spillway by a person walking on the trail. Less than two weeks later, on Thursday, April 7, another body was found near the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Specific details and identities were not released for either incident.

Paige Ryder, who has been running with the White Rock Running Co-op for a little more than a year, said hearing about the latest body being discovered certainly creates safety concerns. 

“When I saw the third body found at White Rock, it did make me pause,” Ryder said. “I run there in the mornings a couple times a week and will definitely never do that alone after the recent news."

WRRC member Becca Finke, who runs often with Ryder, said she has been concerned for safety reasons since the first body was found. 

“Now that the third body has been found, I won’t run down by the lake unless it’s light out, a busy time of day, and/or I have at least one buddy with me—ideally, Kevin Roberts since he’s an ass-whooper,” Finke said.

If you do not have a Kevin Roberts in your life, you can use these runner safety tips.

The Dallas Police Department did not respond to requests for comments.

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

Jerod Honrath created a list of helpful info
regarding racing in all 50 states