Most people have never visited all 50 states, much less completed a marathon in all 50. But
Photo courtesy of the Smith family
The Smith family, left to right: Jeff, Lincoln, Kristy and Laney
that’s exactly what Marble Cliff resident and avid runner Jeff Smith has done over the past 11 years.
“I never intended to be a marathon runner. I began running when I moved to downtown Columbus and needed exercise and to learn my way around the neighborhood. I found running to be easy to do, convenient, enjoyable and quite sociable,” said Smith. “First, I ran around the block, then two blocks. I ran farther and farther until I decided to participate in short races and finally marathons.”
The high point of his running efforts came in October 2014 when, cheered by family and friends at the finish line, Jeff achieved his goal of completing a marathon in all 50 states, a feat he estimates only about 1,000 other marathoners have achieved – fewer than 40 of them under the age of 37.
“After my brother was diagnosed with lymphoma and a favorite law school professor died of leukemia, I got involved with Team In Training, a Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation program that raises money for blood cancer research,” Smith said. “Being part of this nationwide group of runners was fun, and inspired me to try my first marathon in honor of my brother and professor. It was the 2003 San Diego Marathon. When I finished, I said to myself, ‘I’ll never do that again.’ But I did, first in St. Louis, then in Little Rock. During my second year of running and after my fourth marathon, I thought, wouldn’t it be nice to run a marathon in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.?”
His wife, Kristy, has always supported his interest in running. They knew each other while growing up in Sandusky and started dating while attending Kent State University. They married after moving to Columbus, where Jeff attended Capital Law School and Kristy worked at the Ohio Statehouse.
“We found our interests in traveling and running made for a great way to see our beautiful country. We’d get in the car on Friday and drive to a marathon location. I’d run, and then we’d drive home on Sunday. Even after our children, Lincoln (age 5) and Laney (age 3) arrived, we continued to plan family vacations around marathons,” said Smith.
“Running marathons across the country was a fun, healthy, social activity that’s introduced us to a lot of cool people and places. It’s been a great journey, and I hope I’ve inspired some people along the way to chase your dreams and do what you love.”
Smith has completed 53 marathons and has a best time of 2:59:53. He says the Boston Marathon and Newport Marathon are perhaps his most memorable marathons.
“I remember all of the races for something … the scenery, the people, the weather, but Boston comes to mind because it is the iconic, American marathon that everyone knows. And Newport because it is a beautiful location. It was my 50th state marathon, and five of my seven siblings ran with me at least part of the way. To have so many friends and family at the finish line made it a very special day for us.”
Smith will run the marathon a second time in 2016.
At age 38, Smith still runs early each morning before going to his job as director of government affairs and general counsel for the Independent Insurance Agents Association of Ohio. He always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps as a lawyer and has done lobbying work for the past 13 years, first as director of legislative affairs for the Ohio Home Builders Assn. (2002-05), then as the director of governmental relations for the Ohio State Medical Assn. (2005-13). He serves on the board of directors and volunteers at the Physicians Free Clinic. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his children outdoors.
The Smiths moved to Marble Cliff in 2011 and are members of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. They say Marble Cliff is a great, walkable community, comprised of families of all ages.
“The people in this community have been welcoming to us, and we enjoy raising our children here,” Kristy said.
Both agree their focus in the coming years will be family and involvement in the community and schools.
Bill Johannes is the administrative assistant for the village of Marble Cliff. Feedback welcome at ssole@cityscenemediagroup.com.
