Going the Distance
This June marks the 50th anniversary will also mark Mike Schwarz’s 33rd time running it.
He ran it the first time in June of 1990. In fact, it was his first marathon ever.
“Running marathons wasn’t on my radar,” the Blue Cross member says. “I don’t know what kicked in, but finally I decided I wanted to run that one. Obviously, it was a positive experience.”
Despite that being the first time he’d completed a 26.2-mile run, Mike signed up for two more marathons that year — a light load compared to later years. Now 66, he’s completed 163 marathons across the world, reaching several milestones in the process. His most recent achievement? He’s finished a marathon in every U.S. state.
A life in motion
A lifelong Minnesotan, Mike grew up in Mora, where he discovered his love of running as a second grader. Racing a friend to the playground and back, he realized he had a knack for running and hasn’t stopped moving since.
That early love of fitness translated into a full roster of sports throughout his school years. He participated in basketball, baseball and track and field.
“I’m super motivated,” Mike says. “If I don’t work out in some way, shape or form any one day, then I get antsy.”
After graduating from Farmington High School, he continued with track and field at the University of Minnesota -Duluth. As an adult, he explored other fitness pursuits: soccer leagues, swimming and cycling. But ultimately, he prefers the simplicity of running. “You can just throw on a pair of shoes and go,” he says. Today, Mike lives in Lino Lakes with his wife, Michele, their dog, Maddie, and their cat, Macy. From early on, running was something he did with others. It was a way to stay active that also helped him find a long-lasting community.
Running with your pup
Thinking of bringing your dog on a run? There are a bevy of benefits for both you and your pup, but it’s important to keep safety in mind.
Talk to your doctor: Before running with a pet, check with your doctor to discuss risks, especially if you have underlying conditions such as osteoporosis.
Dog discipline: Be sure your pet is well trained and won’t be pulling or darting during your run, as that can put you and others at risk of injury.
Talk to your vet: Your vet can tell you if your dog is in good shape for running and whether previous injuries could be aggravated.
Running in the same circles
Both marathon runners, Mike and Michele bonded early in their relation- ship over their love of long-distance running. They trained together and counted on each other’s support for races.
Mike’s running circles have shifted over the years. In his thirties and forties, he ran with groups of friends and training partners. He met many of them through races, clubs and local runs. Today, fewer of those peers still race, which has helped him value his running circles that are still active.
“Back when I started running marathons, I knew a lot of other runners and friends who ran, and I was a part of running groups,” he says.
Each year, a group of his running friends still gather at Grandma’s — either to race or cheer on the others. And at home, he can always count on Maddie to join him on his warm-up runs.
DID YOU KNOW?
Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of eight types of cancer in adults 65+.
SOURCE: CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
Why running?
There was a time when Mike and Michele housed two rescue cats, and he now laughs as he compares running to the way two cats play. “‘They’re just enjoying being alive,’” he recalls a friend commenting. “And that’s how I think about running. You do it because it feels good. It brings me joy and confidence.”
That joy also fueled specific goals. Early in his marathon career, he dreamed of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. It’s the oldest marathon in the country, and one of the most prestigious.
It took 10 years of training, but one perfect day at Grandma’s Marathon, everything clicked. Mike ran a personal best of 3:18 and finally earned his Boston qualifying time. He’s since qualified three more times and has run Boston four times in total.
The 50 states challenge
By 2015, Mike already had an extensive racing resume. He traveled to Europe several times a year to race, started running back-to-back marathons on weekends and had completed marathons in 21 states.
He was preparing to cross off his 22nd state — a race in Fargo, North Dakota — when a new goal took hold: running a marathon in all 50 states. He was 55 at the time, and realizing he was nearly halfway there, Mike committed to finishing the map.
The challenge required strategic planning, from travel logistics to recovery routines. And it would also call for plenty of miles on the road or in the sky. Hydration and health became central concerns, especially after an episode with kidney stones.
In July 2019, he completed his 50th state at the Jack and Jill Down the Hill Marathon in Washington. The course, which starts in a long tunnel and runs mostly downhill, posed its own challenges. But his victory was witnessed by his wife and extended family, some of whom had never seen him race before.
“I look back now and think, ‘How the heck did I ever do this?’” Mike laughs. “At my age, it’d be harder to do, but people do it!” Afterward, he submitted decades of race documentation to join the 50 States Marathon Club, an organization that tracks runners who have completed a marathon in every state.
Mike’s Running Tips
• Stretch regularly: “Stretch before and after you run. Stretching targets specific parts of your body and keeps you loose.”
• Prioritize safety: “I don’t run when it’s dark or icy outside. That’s when having a gym membership or treadmill comes in handy.”
• Try different things: “Obviously, you don’t have to train for a marathon. But trying out things like weight lifting and yoga can make running easier.”
• Run with others: “Join something socially with those who’re facing similar physical or motivational challenges. It’s much easier to succeed as a team.”
Staying active for the long run
Now in his sixties, Mike thinks about running a little differently than he did in his thirties. While he still races, his focus today is moderation, injury prevention and long-term health.
He encourages aspiring runners to start small. Short-distance groups can provide both camaraderie and accountability, making it easier to stay committed. Over time, he says, the goal is simply to keep moving.
That mindset aligns with what health experts recommend. Regular physical activity helps older adults maintain strength, balance and cardiovascular health, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can also reduce the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes, while supporting mobility and independence with age.
For Mike, those benefits are deeply personal. Staying active helps him protect the health and energy that allow him to keep racing, traveling and showing up for the people and experiences he loves.
Running ahead
After completing his 50-state goal, Mike hasn’t slowed down. He still runs regularly and looks forward to competing in Grandma’s Marathon each year.
Along with running, Mike incorporates yoga, biking, swimming and cross country skiing into his routine. A year-round gym membership he receives at no cost through his Blue Cross plan helps him stay active through Minnesota winters. Between that and a treadmill he recently purchased, he’s able to avoid the dips in consistency many runners face when the weather turns cold.
Staying healthy also allows Mike and Michele to keep exploring the world together. While many of their trips once centered around race calendars, they’ve begun traveling more simply for the joy of it — visiting new places, revisiting old favorites and spending time together beyond the starting line.
Still, running remains woven into how Mike experiences life. Some of his favorite moments happen not at finish lines, but out on quiet roads and trails close to home. “Some of my best running memories are running in the fall — when you have the colors, the perfect temperatures and dewpoints,” he says. “You’re just looking around like it’s great to be alive."
