BAMRbassador Penny Noll, 72, just ran her 61st marathon–and it was the culmination race for her marathon-in-all-50-states quest. She’s talked about her 50-state journey on several episodes of our podcast, most recently in this recent episode, and she blogged about her Nevada marathon. In this post, Penny mentions her friend Deonna: She’s a 20-year-old with a rare neurodevelopmental disorder—Rett syndrome—who Penny runs for. Penny sends her a medal or swag from every race, and has pushed Deonna across several marathon finish lines. 

My 50th state marathon celebration weekend was full of surprises, stories, laughter, beauty, kindness, friends, and family. I was blown away when a dear friend distributed special race bibs with several of my marathon mantras on it for everyone at the pre-race party.

The special race bib Penny’s friend created

The Clarence DeMar Marathon is a small-town race with a big heart—a perfect event for me. It has a beautiful, net-downhill course at a gorgeous time of year in New Hampshire. The course is equally great for Boston Marathon qualifiers as for 7.5-hour finishers. The race organizers match bib numbers with a runner’s history, like a friend who received bib 42 because it was her 42nd state marathon. Helpful, enthusiastic volunteers are positioned everywhere.

I started smiling the moment my alarm went off, and I didn’t stop beaming all day. The marathon was relatively easy thanks to many miles of training, 60 previous marathons, and the support of friends and family. I finished 13 minutes faster than state marathon #49.

A lot of other racers came up to me at the starting line to offer congratulations, take selfies, and ask about my favorite marathons. I was grinning like a celebrity as a reporter for the Keene Sentinel took footage to accompany an interview we’d done the day before.

Once the marathon started, my smile really lit up when I looked ahead to see several friends at Mile 8. I didn’t drive the course before the race as I often do so I definitely ran with curiosity. My friend Henriette ran every step with me and helped me celebrate every mile. We decided to make a list of all the beautiful and interesting things we would have stopped to take photos of: horses in a pasture, several bridges, waterfalls, gorgeous houses and gardens, and a volunteer potbelly pig (!). We did stop a few times for photos with friends cheering along the way.

Penny, with blue socks, is all smiles

In the final six to seven miles of a marathon, I usually revert to my inner toddler (throwing a self-centered tantrum in my head!) but not in this race. There were so many reminders for my heart’s strength. Henriette ran slightly ahead of me to let everyone know my name and my accomplishments. It was a wildly enthusiastic pep rally when we ran through one aid station. Police at crossings knew my name. Spectating teenagers were amazed. More and more friends came out to help me run the final few miles.

Penny looking nifty after crossing her 50th state finish line

My heart was nearly bursting as we approached the finish line. Deonna was waiting for me with her parents, all the way from Utah, so we could finish our fourth marathon together. It was an incredibly awesome finish line experience with family and friends as the race announcers called me in. (I am crying as I type, just thinking about it). I am so thankful that I was able to achieve this huge goal by my 72nd year. And I am so glad that I took those first running steps 20 years ago.

A large-group celebration for smashing a massive goal