![]() The JFK 50 Mile course can be described in three main sections: Section 1: The Appalachian Trail (Mile 0 – Mile 15.5) We’ve heeded his call and have been doing it for 60 years.” “Kennedy’s mission was: improve your physical fitness, improve your lifestyle, improve our country. After his death, all of these events ceased to continue, except for one, what’s now known as the JFK 50. The President had instituted a series of 50-mile events around the country as a public health initiative for the nation’s physical fitness. The origins of the race are well-documented, starting in 1963, the same year president John F. The race travels through the traditional Indigenous lands of the Massawomek and the Shawandassee Tula (Shawanaki/Shawnee). It is a point-to-point course shaped like a giant horseshoe. The JFK 50 Mile course is located in western Maryland, Washington County, about 60 miles northwest from Washington D.C. (Photo: Courtesy of JFK 50 Mile) Course Description ![]() It’s clear that this entire race – its founders, volunteers, runners, and course – are like family to him. Spinnler considered Sawyer a father figure, and someone he admired dearly. RELATED: 50+ Tips for Your First 50 Milerįollowing the 1992 race, he took over as race director, after the original RD, William “Buzz” Sawyer, retired. Spinnler would go on to set the course record in 1982 (5:53:05), win again in 1983, and place in the top 5 in 1985 (4th), 1987 (4th), and 1988 (5th). At that time, the JFK 50 was a larger race, in terms of runners, than the Boston Marathon and Bay-to-Breakers. Spinnler has been involved since 1971, after running the race when he was 12 years old (he finished in just over 14 hours). “We’ve weathered every storm, both literally and figuratively. “We’ve held this race in sleet, storms, blizzards, floods … everything!” says Mike Spinnler, who is celebrating his 30th year as JFK 50 race director. Luckily, this course has weathered many storms. – calls for light snow that’ll taper off as the day progresses. The weather in downtown Boonsboro, Maryland, in Washington County – about 1.5 hours northwest of Washington D.C. This would kick off what will now be the 60th annual running of the JFK 50 Mile Race, this weekend, Saturday, November 19. Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!īefore we landed on the moon, before the United States entered the Vietnam War, and a decade before the first running of the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, four runners covered 50 miles on foot in Maryland, on March 30, 1963.
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