London‑born ultramarathoner William Goodge has embarked on an ambitious cross‑country challenge: 50 marathons in 50 states in just 24 days. The effort, which he hopes will set a new world record, also serves as a fundraiser for cancer research, honoring the memory of his mother, who died from the disease.
Why the marathon trek matters
Goodge told sister station KMBC in Kansas City that the goal is simple yet demanding: “I am running a marathon distance in all 50 U.S. states, and I’m doing it in 24 days.” He added that each marathon must be completed in five hours or less to stay on schedule, a pace that is “high‑pressure” but manageable for a seasoned distance runner.
The personal motivation behind the run is deeply emotional. After his mother’s death from cancer several years ago, Goodge decided to channel his grief into something constructive. “I was like, well, I can be numb, or I can turn this emotional pain I’ve got into something positive,” he explained.
Running résumé
Goodge discovered his talent for long‑distance running nearly a decade ago and has since logged thousands of miles across three continents. Over the past eight years he has completed ultra‑marathons in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, proving his capacity to tackle grueling endurance events.
His Kansas City segment, which fell on days nine and ten of the journey, included participation in the Garmin Marathon race on a Saturday. “I need to do all the marathons in five hours or less to stay on time, so it’s high‑pressure, and a five‑hour marathon isn’t that fast, but doing 50 back‑to‑back, it’s insane,” Goodge said.
Charitable impact
All proceeds from the challenge are directed to cancer‑research organizations, with Goodge hoping the visibility of his record attempt will inspire additional donations. He believes that the story of turning personal loss into a public good can motivate others to support the cause.
“Emotional pain can be pushed toward something positive,” Goodge affirmed, emphasizing that his marathon trek is as much about raising awareness as it is about personal achievement.
What’s next
Goodge’s itinerary will take him from the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest, the Deep South, and finally to the East Coast, with each state’s marathon scheduled back‑to‑back. He plans to finish the final race within the 24‑day window, completing the full circuit of the United States.
Supporters can follow his progress online and contribute to the cancer‑research fund through the campaign’s website. As the runner continues his high‑stakes journey, he hopes the combination of athletic endurance and charitable purpose will leave a lasting legacy for both the running community and the fight against cancer.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
