50 100 Mile Runs in 50 States to raise $50,000 for Charity With the Owl Run Hundreds Project Pete Ripmaster is trailblazing a new adventure in hopes of inspiring others to dream big and create positive change along the way.
During the 2014 Iditarod Trail Invitational, Pete had a life-changing encounter with a Snowy Owl. He’s been studying these amazing creatures ever since.
This project is all about dreaming big, and inspiring others to lend a hand to the causes they care about.
Pete is attempting a feat that’s never been done before while supporting the amazing conservation and educational work of the Owl Research Institute.
Follow Pete as he runs thousands of miles, completing 50 100+ mile runs in 50 states while raising $50,000 for the Owl Research Institute. With 22 100+ mile runs in 22 different states completed, Pete is just getting warmed up!
Pete will run 4 or 5 100-mile races per year so this project will keep him busy for a while:-) He kicked off with the Umstead 100 in North Carolina, 2013, and will end his project at the headquarters of the Owl Research Institute in Montana. He got 16 states left (Feb 2026); next up is Mississippi.
Join him, support him and cheer him on along the way.
Pete Ripmaster
Pete wanted to be a sled dog musher and moved to Alaska in the early 2000s to run dogs. But he found managing the dogs too overwhelming and in 2006 he and his wife moved to Asheville where he worked as a teacher and ran the Black Mountain Running Co. shop for several years. “I’ve battled depression and voices throughout my life, turning to running to help inspire a personal change. I ran my first marathon in 2008, and continue to push the boundaries of my physical and mental capabilities.” “I decided I wanted to run a marathon one day...
Culture & History: Montana’s identity is forged in the “Richest Hill on Earth.” In the late 1800s, the city of Butte was so wealthy from copper mining that it had...
North Carolina
Culture & History: North Carolina is a state of “firsts.” It was the site of the first attempted English settlement at Roanoke Island (the famous “Lost Colony”) and the location...
About
Goal / Mission
Challenge
Requirements
Rewards
Opportunity for: Runner,Sponsor
Location Start: North Dakota, USA
Finish: North Dakota, USA
Start date: Jul 1, 2026
End date: Aug 31, 2026
Pete Ripmaster just locked in State #35 for his Owl Run 100’s Project: North Dakota.
His younger brother will join him for 50 miles. Pete will take on the full 100, in one day.
They’re targeting July or August—and are building this opportunity out now.
If you have: • A connection to a company or organization in North Dakota • Ideas for a unique course/location • Interest in joining as crew, pacer, or documenting the effort.
Pete loves to hear from you: “If you’re in a great small town in a not yet run US state with access to a dirt road, lake loop, rail trail, or light trail. I’m all ears.”
“I’d love to partner with a business, university, or community group for this run. * I’ll come in and give a keynote at a reduced fee * Then I’ll run 100 miles locally the next day * And invite your community to be part of the effort.
People can come out, move on the same course, jump in for a mile, cheer, high-five, and be part of the day. Think shared experience—not a pack run. I’ll be out there in the arena doing my thing, but I want the community woven into it.
And the real goal: Each person raises $1 per mile they move—walk, run, or bike. Simple, accessible, meaningful. We donate 100% of the money raised to a local food bank in your community. A shared challenge. A local impact. Something people will remember.
If this sparks an idea—message me. Let’s build something meaningful.
—Pete”
Join Pete if you’re in a yellow (not yet run) US state with access to a dirt road, lake loop, rail trail, or light trail.
Your options:
Partnership
Pete loves to partner with a business, university, or group and invite your community to be part of the effort.
Partnership
Speaking opportunity
Pete will come in and give a keynote at a reduced fee before running 100 miles locally the next day. A great opportunity to meet, learn and connect.
Speaking opportunity
Community Run
Each person raises $1 per mile they move—walk, run, or bike for a local food bank in your community. Simple, accessible, meaningful.
Community Run
What you can expect:
Pete's keynote at a reduced fee
Pete donates 100% of the money raised to a local food bank in your community.
A shared challenge. A local impact. Something people will remember.
Pete is always chasing his next horizon. His current goal is completing a 100-mile run or race in all 50 US states and raising $50,000 to support the Owl Research Institute along the way.
He’s looking for fun crew/pacers and a speaking opportunity in each of the 16 remaining states! Invite Pete for an inspirational talk in combination with his 100-miler. Are you in for the next US State?
“On Saturday, March 14th, I’ll be running the 34th state in my Owl Run 100’s Project — 100 miles in one day. I’d like to invite you — and your team — to move with me. Donate $1 per mile to Owl Research Institute using the link below. Simple. Clear. Impactful.
While I’m covering 100 miles on the Tanglefoot Trail in Mississippi, you can be moving in your own community — on your local trail, road, or bike path. I’ll share updates throughout the day as the miles add up. One day. One shared effort. Real impact.”
Your options:
5 miles / $5
Run, walk, or bike 5 miles for the Owl Research Institute.
5 miles / $5
15 miles / $15
Run, walk, or bike 15 miles for the Owl Research Institute.
15 miles / $15
30 miles / $30
Run, walk, or bike 30 miles for the Owl Research Institute.
30 miles / $30
What you can expect:
Enjoy the opportunity to support, learn from and/or run with this world-class runner!
Dedicated to owl conservation through research and education. “We conduct long-term research on owls, their prey species, and their relationship to the habitat in which they live. We use these data to help maintain viable populations. Additionally, we collaborate on strategic projects; educate the public about owls; and provide research data to land management agencies and conservation partners.” “We focus our time and efforts in the field, with the owls, making observations and logging data. Our commitment to long-term research is rooted in natural history and requires patience, dedication, and a vast awareness of ecosystems at large. Our studies are...
