Running down her dream

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WILMINGTON — Kristine Hollon of Wilmington is about to achieve her dream of running a half marathon — 13.1 miles — in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C.

On Oct. 1, she will participate in the Wineglass Half Marathon in Corning, New York where she will complete her goal, accompanied by several friends to cheer her on.

This personal challenge has been several years in the making.

In 1999, the first paved city trail was opened from Mulberry Street from the east, to Nelson Avenue on the west side of town. It is called the Luther Warren Peace Path and has served as an inspiration for many in the community to enjoy the tranquility of its 1.2 miles of a tree-covered canopy under which you find bicycle riders, runners, and those just out for a delightful stroll.

In 2003, Kristine began using this wonderful addition to our city to begin her training as a runner. For several years she enjoyed biking and running as a hobby and on May 2, 2010 ran her first half marathon after joining the YMCA Flying Pig training group started by Roseanne McKay. A second soon followed with the Air Force Half Marathon that fall.

On a trip to Hawaii in 2011, she ran her third half marathon. By 2013, with five states already accounted for, Kristine had made the decision to chase the dream of running a half marathon in every state.

Being an avid exercise enthusiast, she lifts weights and practices yoga at Vital Fitness in Wilmington, bikes as a member of the Wilmington Bicycle Club and encourages friends and family to join her running, kayaking, and bicycling adventures.

In the fall of 2014, she joined a nation-wide group called the Fifty States Half Marathon Club, a running community that tracks members’ challenges and achievements.

A week after running her 50th state, New York, she will participate in Cincinnati’s Queen Bee Half Marathon marking the accomplishment of another goal: her 100th half marathon.

The Fifty States Half Marathon Club holds its annual awards event Oct. 28 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. At this event, Kristine will receive two trophies — one for completing the 50 States Half Marathon Challenge (plus Washington, D.C.) and a second for the group’s 100 Half Marathons Challenge.

With all her travels, it is impossible for her to pick a favorite or most memorable location.

“You see a lot more on foot than you would ever see from a car,” she said. “Each place is different and interesting in its own way.”

This past Labor Day Weekend, she set a personal record with a half marathon time of 1:43.30 at the YOLO Half Marathon in Greenville, Ohio.

With these accomplishments, Kristine has no plans of slowing down any time soon. She has already begun running the Canadian Provinces and is training for what will be her third full marathon (26.2 miles) later this year in Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

Soon she plans to begin the 50 States Endurance Challenge, completing an additional half or full marathon in every state, and she already has plans to begin the 7 Continents Endurance Challenge with trips to South America and Antarctica in the near future.

Kristine grew up near Seaman, Ohio, studied dental hygiene at Shawnee State University, and has been a dental hygienist at Dr. Clifford Steinle’s office in Wilmington since 2000. Her husband, Joe Hollon, is the principal at Clinton-Massie Middle School.

Hollon has garnered a wall full of ribbons from her half-marathons around the country.
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_kristine-ribbons.jpgHollon has garnered a wall full of ribbons from her half-marathons around the country. Courtesy photos

Kristine Hollon will soon have run in all 50 states.
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_kristine-in-orange.jpegKristine Hollon will soon have run in all 50 states. Courtesy photos
Half marathons in every state come Sunday

For the News Journal

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