What I Learned Completing the 50 States Marathon Challenge in Winter
Lachlan Stuart running in the snow in St Antonito during the 50 states marathon challenge
Winter vs Summer: What I Learned Completing the 50 States Marathon Challenge in Winter
When I tell people I completed the 50 states marathon challenge in winter, the first response is always the same:
"Why the hell would you do that?"
Fair question.
I'm Lachlan Stuart. In early 2025, I became the first person to complete the 50 states marathon challenge consecutively during winter: 50 marathons across 50 U.S. states in 50 days, January 20 to March 11.
Most people attempt the 50 states marathon challenge in summer. Warmer temperatures. Longer daylight. All roads open. It makes logical sense.
But I chose winter. Not because I'm tough or wanted to prove something. I chose winter because of timing. My wife Amy's tour schedule meant I needed to finish by March, and starting in January was the only window that worked.
That decision changed everything.
This article isn't about which season is "better" for the 50 states marathon challenge. It's about the honest trade-offs between winter and summer attempts, based on what I actually experienced running through temperatures as low as -20°C wind chill.
What you'll learn:
The real physical differences between winter and summer attempts
Logistical challenges unique to each season
Psychological impacts of cold vs heat
Why I'd still choose winter if I did it again
Let's break it down.
The Physical Reality: Cold vs Heat
Running in Winter (-20°C to 10°C)
What I experienced:
The coldest day was Fargo, North Dakota on February 1 (Marathon 11). Temperature: -15°C. Wind chill: -20°C.
I remember stepping out of the hotel at 7 AM. The air was so cold it felt like inhaling glass. My eyelashes froze within 10 minutes. My water bottle froze solid running with it in my hand.
Physical challenges of winter while running the 50 states marathon challenge:
Breathing: Cold air burns your lungs. Every deep breath feels sharp. You have to breathe through a buff or face shield, which then gets wet from your breath and freezes against your face.
Extremities: Fingers and toes go numb first. I wore gloves most days. Still got frostnip in Brattleboro, Vermont (Day 23, -7°C). My fingertips were numb for three days afterward.
Muscle stiffness: Cold makes everything tight. Your stride shortens. Your range of motion decreases. You feel like you're running through molasses.
Injury risk: I injured myself on day one, and by Day 5 both my ankles swelled in West Wendover, Nevada (-12°C). The cold compressed blood flow, inflammation built up faster, and recovery was slower because I couldn't fully warm up between runs. It's slippery and it feels like you're constantly trying to stabilize yourself.
Calorie burn: Your body burns more calories in cold weather just trying to maintain core temperature. I was eating 6,000-7,000 calories per day and still lost weight.
Gear weight: Thermals, layers, buffs, gloves, jackets. You're carrying 1-3kg of clothing just to stay warm. That adds load to every step.
Running in Summer (15°C to 35°C)
What I experienced in Australia (late summer):
Darwin, Northern Territory (Marathon 57, March 19). Temperature: 31°C. Humidity: 85%. Rain.
This was the opposite problem. I started at 5 AM. It bucketed down rain the first hour (was lovely). Then when the rain moved on, the humidity kicked in and the sun beamed down. It was bloody horrible. The humidity made it impossible to cool down. Every breath felt thick, heavy, like breathing through a wet towel. At one point I thought I wasn't going to finish.
Physical challenges of summer:
Dehydration: You lose fluids faster than you can replace them. I drank 500ml every 5km in Darwin and still cramped.
Heat exhaustion risk: Your core temperature rises. You feel nauseous. Dizzy. Your pace drops not because your legs are tired, but because your brain is protecting you from overheating.
Chafing: Sweat plus friction equals raw skin. Nipples, thighs, underarms. Everything rubs. After 42km in humidity, you look like you've been through a cheese grater.
Sun exposure: Sunburn becomes a real issue over 50 consecutive days. Even with sunscreen, I got burned in California and Australia. Painful, and it compounds day after day.
Faster muscle fatigue: Heat increases metabolic demand. Your muscles fatigue quicker because your body is working overtime to cool itself.
The Honest Comparison
| Physical Factor | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|
| Breathing | Painful (cold air burns lungs) | Easier (but humid air feels thick) |
| Hydration | Less critical (lower sweat rate) | Critical (high sweat rate) |
| Injury risk | Higher (stiff muscles, reduced blood flow) | Moderate (but heat exhaustion is real) |
| Recovery | Slower (cold delays healing) | Faster (warmth aids recovery) |
| Energy expenditure | Higher (body burns more to stay warm) | High (body works to cool down) |
| Gear weight | Heavy (layers required) | Light (minimal clothing) |
Bottom line:
Winter is harder on joints and extremities. Summer is harder on your cardiovascular system and hydration management.
Neither is "easy." They're just different types of suffering.
Logistical Differences: What Actually Changes Between Seasons
Winter Logistics (What I Dealt With)
1. RV parks closed
This was the biggest surprise. I'd budgeted to sleep in the RV to save money. By Day 4, we realized most RV parks close from November to March.
We had to book hotels every night.
Lesson: If attempting the 50 states marathon challenge in winter, budget for hotels, not RV camping.
2. Roads close
Multiple times, our planned route was blocked by weather.
Example: Driving through Pennsylvania after Day 12, we saw a car flipped in a ditch during a snowstorm. Roads were icy. What should've been a 4-hour drive took 7 hours.
Lesson: Add 20-30% buffer time to all winter drive estimates.
3. Shorter daylight
In January, daylight in northern states lasts 8-9 hours. If you start running at 7 AM, the sun sets by 4:30 PM.
Multiple times I finished marathons in darkness. Running in the dark on unfamiliar roads with cars passing is genuinely dangerous.
Lesson: Plan to start earlier in winter (5-6 AM starts) to maximize daylight running.
4. Gear complexity
Every morning, I had to layer:
Base layer (thermal top plus tights)
Mid layer (long-sleeve shirt)
Outer layer (windproof jacket)
Gloves
Buff (face shield)
Beanie
That's 6-7 items just to not freeze.
In summer, you wear shorts and a singlet. Done.
Time cost: Winter gear adds 10-15 minutes to pre-run prep every day.
5. Route flexibility
In winter, you're limited by weather. Some routes are simply too dangerous when iced over.
Example: Milford, Massachusetts (Day 24). We'd planned a Greenway trail. Got there, sheet ice. Had to pivot to a hotel carpark loop (400m lap x 105 laps). Boring, but safe.
In summer, almost all routes are accessible.
Summer Logistics (Based on Australia Leg)
1. RV parks open
Summer attempts can use RV camping over 50 days.
2. Roads open
No snow closures. No ice delays. You can plan tighter drive schedules.
3. Longer daylight
14-16 hours of daylight in summer. You can start later, finish earlier, and still run entirely in daylight.
4. Gear simplicity
Minimal clothing. Faster prep time. Less weight to carry.
5. Route flexibility
All trails, parks, and roads accessible. More scenic route options.
The Honest Comparison
| Logistical Factor | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation cost | Higher (hotels required) | Lower (RV camping viable) |
| Drive reliability | Lower (weather delays common) | Higher (predictable timing) |
| Daylight hours | 8-9 hours (northern states) | 14-16 hours |
| Route options | Limited (ice/snow closures) | Full access |
| Gear complexity | High (7+ items daily) | Low (2-3 items) |
| Planning flexibility | Low (weather-dependent) | High (predictable conditions) |
Bottom line:
Summer is logistically easier. Winter requires constant adaptation.
Psychological Differences: What the Seasons Do to Your Mind
The Mental Weight of Winter
Day 5 (West Wendover, Nevada): -12°C. Both ankles swollen. I lay on the RV floor that night thinking, "If this is Day 5, how the hell am I going to make it to Day 50?"
Winter grinds you down mentally in a specific way. The cold is relentless. You wake up cold. You run cold. You finish cold. Even inside the heated van, you can't fully shake the chill.
What winter does to your mind:
1. Constant discomfort
You're never truly warm. Even after finishing a marathon, by the time you've showered and driven to the next state, your core temperature has dropped again.
That chronic discomfort wears on you. It's not dramatic. It's just heavy.
2. Visual monotony
Winter landscapes are grey, white, brown. Every state looks the same. No color. No vibrancy. Just cold, dead grass and bare trees.
That visual monotony compounds the mental grind.
3. Darkness
Short daylight hours mean you're often running in the dark. Darkness amplifies loneliness. It makes the miles feel longer.
4. Isolation
Fewer people are outside in winter. You run through empty streets. No one cheers. No one waves. You're alone with your thoughts for 4-6 hours every day.
That isolation can be powerful (if you're comfortable with solitude) or crushing (if you need external energy).
The Mental Lift of Summer
Day 35 (Nashville, Tennessee): 18°C. Sunshine. The first truly warm day in weeks.
I remember running along the river and thinking, "I forgot what warmth feels like." That temperature shift gave me a massive psychological boost. Suddenly, running didn't feel like punishment. It felt almost enjoyable.
What summer does to your mind:
1. Comfort baseline
You're not fighting cold. That removes one entire layer of suffering. Your mind has more capacity to focus on the actual running (unless the temp is steaming).
2. Visual stimulation
Green landscapes. Blue skies. Color everywhere. It lifts your mood unconsciously.
3. Longer days
More daylight means less darkness. Less darkness means less loneliness.
4. Social energy
More people are outside in summer. You get waves, cheers, high-fives. That external energy matters more than you'd think.
The Honest Comparison
| Psychological Factor | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline comfort | Low (chronic cold) | High (warmth feels good) |
| Visual environment | Monotonous (grey/white) | Stimulating (color/green) |
| Social energy | Low (isolated) | High (people outside) |
| Loneliness factor | High (darkness plus isolation) | Moderate (daylight helps) |
| Mental endurance required | Higher (relentless grind) | Moderate (physical hard, mental easier) |
Bottom line:
Winter is a psychological test. Summer is a physical test.
If you're mentally tough but physically average, winter might suit you.
If you're physically strong but mentally fragile, summer is smarter.
Why I'd Still Choose Winter (If I Did It Again)
Here's the truth: I didn't choose winter because I wanted the "hardest" version of the 50 states marathon challenge.
I chose winter because of life's timing. Amy's tour schedule. IVF timing. The documentary crew's availability. Winter was the only window that worked.
But looking back, I'm glad it happened that way.
Here's why:
1. The Story Is Unique
I'm the first person to complete the 50 states marathon challenge consecutively in winter. That distinction matters. It's not about ego, it's about legacy.
If I'd done it in summer, I'd be "another person" who completed the challenge. Winter made it memorable.
2. The Difficulty Created Meaning
The cold, the ice, the swollen ankles, the frozen eyelashes. All of that suffering gave the attempt weight.
If it had been easy, it wouldn't have meant as much.
Winter forced me to become someone stronger than I was when I started.
3. The Contrast Was Powerful
Starting in Alaska (-3°C) and finishing in Brisbane (28°C) created a narrative arc. Winter to summer. Cold to warm. Isolation to community. All seasons and all terrains. Just like life.
That contrast made the documentary more compelling and the story more emotionally resonant.
4. Fewer Distractions
Winter forced simplicity. No scenic detours. No tourist stops. Just run, survive, repeat.
That singular focus made the attempt purer.
Who Should Attempt the 50 States Marathon Challenge in Winter vs Summer
Choose Winter If:
✅ You're comfortable with solitude and isolation
✅ You have high pain tolerance (cold is relentless)
✅ You're experienced running in sub-zero temperatures
✅ You want a unique story (very few attempt winter)
✅ You're budget-flexible (hotels required)
✅ You're mentally tough but maybe not physically elite
✅ You don't mind grey, monotonous landscapes
✅ You're okay with constant gear management
Choose Summer If:
✅ You need social energy and external motivation
✅ You want logistical simplicity (open roads, RV camping)
✅ You're budget-conscious
✅ You're strong physically but prefer mental ease
✅ You want scenic, colorful routes
✅ You're heat-tolerant and hydration-disciplined
✅ You prefer longer daylight for safety
✅ You want maximum route flexibility
The Middle Ground: Spring or Fall
If you're reading this thinking "both sound terrible," consider attempting the 50 states marathon challenge in spring (April-May) or fall (September-October).
Spring/Fall advantages:
Moderate temperatures (10-20°C most states)
RV parks open
Reasonable daylight hours
Lower accommodation costs than winter
Less heat stress than summer
Less cold stress than winter
Spring/Fall disadvantages:
Unpredictable weather (spring storms, fall hurricanes)
Less narrative distinction (not "the winter guy" or "the summer guy")
Bottom line:
Spring/Fall is the logical choice if you want to optimize for conditions.
Winter/Summer is the bold choice if you want a story.
What Lachlan Stuart Learned Completing the 50 States Marathon Challenge in Winter
After 50 states, 50 consecutive days, and temperatures ranging from -20°C to 26°C, here's what I know:
1. Season matters less than mental resilience
Winter didn't break me. Summer wouldn't have made it "easy." The challenge is the challenge, regardless of temperature.
2. Timing trumps optimization
I didn't choose winter because it was optimal. I chose it because it was possible given life circumstances. And that's okay.
3. The story you tell matters
Winter gave me a unique narrative. That story opened doors. Speaking opportunities, documentary interest, media coverage. The difficulty became the asset.
4. Suffering creates transformation
The cold forced me to become someone I wasn't before. Summer might not have done that.
5. There is no "best" season
Winter is harder logistically and psychologically.
Summer is harder physically and thermally.
Both are brutal. Both are valid. Both will test you completely.
Final Thoughts on Winter vs Summer for the 50 States Marathon Challenge
If you're planning a 50 states marathon challenge attempt, the season matters less than you think.
Yes, winter is harder in specific ways. Yes, summer is cheaper and more accessible.
But the real question isn't "which season is easier?"
The real question is: "When can I actually commit 50-60 days to this, and which season aligns with that window?"
For me, that was winter. And I'm grateful it worked out that way.
The cold taught me things warmth never could.
The isolation forced clarity.
The suffering created meaning.
And the finish line felt earned in a way I don't think summer could have delivered.
My advice:
Choose the season that fits your life. Then commit fully to that choice.
Don't second-guess. Don't wish it was different. Just run.
Because at the end of 50 consecutive marathons, the season won't matter as much as the fact that you finished.
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