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50 states, 56 marathons: JB MDL colonel runs far to accomplish goal

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bryan Swink
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST --  Completing a race more than 26 miles in distance is an accomplishment many might not imagine doing. Joints can ache with every stride as muscles are pushed to the limits.

This is a way of life for one Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst officer who recently completed a marathon in each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Col. Mark Ellis, Expeditionary Operations School commandant, checked the last state off his list when he completed the Big Sur International Marathon in Carmel, Calif., April 27 with a time of 3 hours, 57 minutes and 8 seconds.

"I decided to set this goal 10 years ago at the age of 37 after an assignment at U.S. Air Force Pacific Command in Hawaii," said Ellis. "Living there was conducive to running every day. I thought it would be a fun and challenging goal to achieve."

Months of preparation go into completing a single marathon; however, the long run is key as it builds the necessary endurance to complete the marathon distance.

His biggest accomplishment was completing four races during a span of four weeks in October 2007, said Ellis. He ran the Mohawk-Hudson River Marathon, Albany, N.Y.; the Mount Desert Island Marathon, Bar Harbor, Maine; the Breakers Marathon, Newport, R.I.; and the Marine Corps. Marathon, D.C.

"The Bataan Death March in White Sands, N.M., would have been my pick for the hardest marathon because I ran it in uniform," said Ellis. "This last marathon from Big Sur to Carmel, Calif., along U.S. Highway 1, was grueling with horrendously long hills but the view of red woods, cliffs and the Pacific Ocean made it worth it."

Ellis attributes his success rate to pre-race preparation and good genes.

"I usually have something high in carbohydrates the night before the race," Ellis said. "In the morning I have two energy bars and 32 oz. of Gatorade for breakfast. I wear light-weight running shoes and also put Vaseline on my feet to keep them from blistering. I am also lucky in that I've never been injured due to running ... with the possible exception of a hamstring pull during last summer's Eagles vs. Chiefs softball game going from third to home ... the Chiefs still won 13-2, though."

Ellis has one fan who supported him every step of the way, even though marathon running isn't exactly a spectator's sport.

"I would see marathoners crossing the finish line wearing expressions of total agony on their faces," said Missy Ellis, the colonel's wife. "I prayed my husband would cross the finish line under his goal of four hours on his own and not by ambulance."

Long-distance runners must dig deep in themselves to find the motivation to push through the pain to reach the finish line. So what goes through his mind during the 26-mile run?

"I think about some of the runs I've done during training, the next mile ahead and what I'm going to eat when I finish," said Ellis.

The dedication to running shows competing in marathons is a passion for Ellis. With the 51st state completed, 56th marathon overall, his wife continues to be amazed by his perseverance.

"While watching him run, I reflect on how crazy my guy is to be out there," said Missy Ellis. "He is a marathon maniac."