ForresT runs fifTy r

unning marathons turned into a ten-year mental and physical challenge for Forrest Johnson of Natchez, Mississippi. A financial planner and avid Ole Miss fan, this family man began his marathon of marathons supported by family and friends and has run a marathon in all fifty states, plus an extra one in Louisiana, completing his final run in Mississippi on December 11, 2022, during the Gulf Coast Marathon in Biloxi.

HHis wife, Julie, posted this on her Facebook page following his final marathon:

“So so proud of this man! 10 years, 51 marathons (He ran Louisiana twice), and 50 states. INCREDIBLE!! Forrest has experienced our beautiful country like no other…. on foot! Weather conditions were yucky for the last one so it made for a more difficult race but he conquered it like always! The kids loved running alongside of him for the last 2. It was bittersweet when he crossed the finished line knowing this was the completion of a goal he has worked on for so long now. Thank you to our family and good friend Joe Smith for making the trip to Biloxi and cheering him on in the pouring down rain! That’s dedication!! Thank you to our friend Chef Kelly English for making our celebration dinner at his restaurant, Magnolia House, extra special! And thanks to all of our family and friends who have been following along this journey!! It’s been one heck of a ride!!! (or run I should say) Who knows what he will do next but he’s not hanging up his running shoes that’s for sure!”

Not originally a runner, Forrest played baseball in high school and began running during his college years. He ran the 6.2-mile Crescent City Classic race in New Orleans, Louisiana, about 10 to 12 times. Needing to try something different, he decided to run a half marathon in the St. Jude race in Memphis, Tennessee. While that temporarily satisfied his growing passion for the sport, he soon began to think about running a full marathon. Delving into training toward that end, he began to develop his endurance and stride. His intent was to run better, not necessarily to win but to improve his technique and perseverance. “It was tough to stretch the distance to run the full 26-miles,” Forrest recalled. “It took several years. I would drive out to the Natchez Trace and park my car at the 17-mile marker at Coles Creek. My goal was to run 20 miles. I would run up 10 miles; and knowing I could not take any short cuts, I would run back 10 miles to my car. There was no guessing about the route or trying to talk myself out of it, once I got to 10 miles, I had to return to my car so I could get home.”

Training involved both this physical aspect and a mental one. Forrest’s first marathon outside of Louisiana was in Savannah, Georgia, as he continued his training and running in various New Orleans marathons trying to improve his timing.

ARTICLE | Cheryl Rinehart