Associate Provost David Dzurec, Ph.D., Completes Marathon in 50 States

David Dzurec, Ph.D., associate provost for academic affairs and professor of history, recently achieved a 1310-plus-mile milestone: running a marathon in all 50 states. On June 20, he crossed the finish line at the Mayor's Marathon in Anchorage, Alaska.

The feat, 30 years in the making, began in 1996 when Dr. Dzurec ran the Vermont City Marathon. Since then, he has logged 55 marathons in total with a few Jesuit connections along the way, most recently in the form of logistical guidance from interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs Tracy Stewart.

"It was a fun coincidence that Tracy Stewart is from Anchorage and knew the course well. I was grateful to my boss for the insider scoop, which was very helpful as I prepared," said Dr. Dzurec, who also shared his appreciation to the University community at large.

"Being a part of a community, especially the University of Scranton community, really helps make all of this possible and helped to keep me motivated. Cross Country/Track Coach Bill Burke has been a regular source of support and provided me with an opportunity to run with our teams over the last two decades.

"I am grateful to everyone who would stop me on campus and ask where I was in my states list. Members of the campus community have run with me at different times, including Dr. Jim Roberts, criminal justice, Dr. Adam Pratt, history, and Dr. Megan Heeder, theology, who will be running the Sydney Marathon in a few weeks."

The quest for 50 states took Dr. Dzurec to some of the most storied races in the country, including the Boston Marathon, New York City Marathon, shown below, Chicago Marathon and Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C.

Journey Begins With Service

Dr. Dzurec's marathon journey began in 1999 while he was participating in volunteer service on the West Coast.

"My senior year at Fairfield in 1999, I went to visit a friend, and we watched the Boston Marathon from the Boston College campus at the top of Heartbreak Hill. ... That fall, while participating in AmeriCorps in Southern Oregon, I ran the California International Marathon in Sacramento, and managed to qualify for Boston. After Boston in April 2000, I decided to try to run a marathon in all 50 states."

After three decades of distance-running dedication in North America, Dr. Dzurec said he's considering the World Majors Marathons.

"The original six include Boston, Chicago, New York, London, Berlin and Tokyo. Since I've already run half, I'm considering the remaining three to complete the cycle. They've recently added Sydney and Cape Town, so I could add those if I'm really ambitious," Dr. Dzurec said.

• Dr. David Dzurec and his sister Kathryn Dzurec, shown in Wyoming.
• Dr. David Dzurec in Montana after a marathon.

Memorable Pin Drops on the Marathon Map

Dr. Dzurec shared a few notable runs that round out his favorite list, in addition to the prestigious marathons in Boston, New York and Chicago.

A few with historical significance presented scholarly encounters for this subject matter expert.

• Alabama. "The Birmingham Marathon was striking when I realized the phrase 'Black Lives Matter' had been painted down the middle of the street in a city once known as 'Bombingham' because of the bombing of black churches during the Civil Rights movement."

• Arkansas. "The Little Rock Marathon ran by Little Rock Central High School, of the 1957 Little Rock Nine."

• Texas. "The Dallas Marathon ran right by the Texas School Book Depository."

• South Dakota. "The Crazy Horse Marathon started at the Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills."

Others offered a glimpse of the country's purple mountain majesty.

• Maine. "The Mount Desert Island, shown below, ran through Acadia National Park, was one of the most beautiful."

Still others presented tests of endurance.

• Colorado. "Steamboat Springs was the highest elevation, at 8,200 feet above sea level.

  
  
  Dr. David Dzurec in the Mount Desert Island Marathon in Maine, shown above.
  
  

And, perhaps two of the most memorable runs resulted in a lifelong partnership and a quintessential Alaska family experience.

• Hawaii. "My wife and I met while running cross country at Fairfield (University.) So, on our honeymoon we went to Maui, where I ran the full marathon, shown below, and she ran the half.

• Alaska. "My wife also ran the half in Anchorage. ... My son David, shown below, who was running his first marathon, and my brother Paul both ran with me. At about mile 22, there was a moose with two calves on the edge of the course. (There were also two police officers there to ensure this was without incident.)