One lap perimeter-run around Pa.
In pursuit of redistricting reform.
It's a long road...
About
A Pennsylvania man in 2011 completed the PennUltimate Run -- a one lap, thousand mile, 39-day perimeter-run around the state of Pa. -- to raise awareness and sound alarm bells about political redistricting. (Forrest Gump meets Paul Revere, if you will.) He returned home to what would become one of the most gerrymandered districts and states in America, and he helped put in motion major reform efforts...
The overarching goal of the Run/Cause is transparency and independence in the redistricting process. Redistricting may be the most important act of American government at all levels every ten years. Proper redistricting enables fair elections and better government. A goal in Pa. is to replace the legislature-run redistricting process with an independent commission. See the "Blue Paper" below.
The Run itself started April 1, 2011, the deadline for the U.S. Census Bureau to publish the data required for that decade's nationwide redistricting. Averaging a marathon per day, the lead runner forged a route clockwise around the state while pushing a 70lb packed jogging stroller over the Appalachian mountain chain twice. Mile upon mile he extended a relay baton to those who would help fulfill the Run’s goal. The Run entailed harsh weather, unnavigable road surfaces, adverse traffic conditions, after-dark perils, tutelage by the State Police, live GPS-tracking, and overnight stops often decided by fate. An indispensable support team assisted from afar. The Run earned nationwide praise and media attention.
The Cause today can be supported through Fair Districts PA (cofounded by the lead runner) and others. The Run and the follow-on National Gallery of Redistricting Art are proprietary activities of the firm pjmathison.
- PDF files:
- Blue Paper (on redistricting reform)
- FAQs (about the Run)
- Press Release (pre-Run)
- News Release (post-Run)
View/Hide details »
Maps / Tracking
Actual Route
The 1,022-mile PennUltimate Run actual route includes detours not recorded on the map below, such as getting lost, escaping weather, foraging for food (Walmart parking lots are the size of Texas BTW), visiting lawmakers' offices, entertaining requests from reporters ("Can you run that stretch again for the camera?"), and even doing what bears do in the woods. Much of the route was mapped-out the night before each day's run and shaped solely by the location of the far-too-distant next budget motel. How To Use This Map: Click on the map's colored features for Run details. Zoom in/out and click on other doodads. The Green icon represents the START/FINISH. Go clockwise along the Red route line and click on the Yellow icons for daily highlights.
GPS-Tracking
(Powered by InstaMapper)
Live GPS-tracking was enabled daily during the Run and utilized by millionsish of people (we lost count) to follow or join the lead runner/s. Trackers included family, friends, Run staff, students, lawmakers, members of the news media, social media followers, supporters/sponsors, motorists, the public at large, and apparently the State Police. The location of the runner/s was transmitted about once every two minutes and was accurate to within a few hundred yards.
Webpage Screenshot Mockup
Media Coverage
Downloadable Media Coverage - PennUltimate Run
Below is sample media coverage of the Run. Members of the news media used the popular GPS tool to track down and join the lead runner, which provided for enjoyable in-Run encounters and occasional free fuel (food & drink). Items below are displayed in roughly chronological order, starting with the earliest date. Click on an item's title to download it.
ARTICLES, BLOG POSTS, TV HIGHLIGHTS, ETC.
- Quixotic quest to fight gerrymandering (pre-Run story)
- Middle of the Freakin Road, centrist blog
Running for a Cause (pre-Run story)- Metro Philadelphia, weekday commuters' newspaper
Running around the state for redistricting (START of the Run)- Main Line Suburban Life, weekly "Main Line" Phila newspaper
1,000 mile run to support better redistricting (START of the Run)- Public Opinion, newspaper serving greater Chambersburg, Pa.
Man runs through town for redistricting awareness (heading west towards Pittsburgh)- Public Opinion
Redistricting focus of run (friendly encounter w/ State Police)- Bedford Gazette
Runner runs-on about redistricting (video):- DailyAmerican.com, newspaper serving Somerset Co., Pa.
Man races around state... (heading north from Pittsburgh towards Erie)- Allied News, newspaper serving Grove City, Pa., et al.
Man Running Across State (Halfway Point)- WICU12, NBC TV affiliate serving greater Erie, Pa.
Runner makes strides...for redistricting awareness (Halfway Point)- Erie Times-News
Half-way done 1,000-mile lap around PA (Run update, from the perspective of the START)- Daily Local News, newspaper serving Chester Co., Pa.
Running to draw attention to redistricting (heading east from Erie towards Scranton)- Daily Review, newspaper serving Bradford and Sullivan Co.'s, Pa.
Anti-gerrymandering jogger stops by (rounding the corner, heading south towards Philly)- The Times-Tribune, newspaper serving Scranton, Pa.
Are You Aware of Gerrymandering?- RW Daily, blog of RUNNER'S World magazine
Lead Runner In PennUltimate Run Reaches City Hall in Phila.- CBS Philly / KYW Newsradio
Wayne man completes quest... (FINISH of the Run)- Main Line Suburban Life
Long, winding road ("Opinion" piece by newspaper editorial board)- The Times-Tribune
Race for the cure - of redistricting process (post-Run)- Philly.com, online news from The Phila Inquirer and Phila Daily News
Redistricting awareness run across PA concludes...- PoliticsPA.com, an online political community for Pennsylvania
Running a marathon a day for a cause (post-Run, sit-down interview)- Main Line Suburban Life
Redistricting reform in PA (for posterity)- Ballotpedia.org, an interactive almanac of state politics
"GERRY-RIGGED" (TV documentary inspired in part by the Run)- CNN
- Ten-Years Later Op-Ed: Pennsylvania CEOs must act on redistricting reform
- Erie Times-News et al.
View/Hide Downloadable Media Coverage
Photos
Below are sample photos from the PennUltimate Run. Photographers included members of the news media, Run volunteers, and obliging citizens. The main in-Run photographer was the lead runner, who focused primarily on making forward progress, coping with the elements, and not-becoming roadkill. Click on a section title to display/hide its contents. Click on a photo to enlarge it (most of them, anyway). All photos are © pjmathison unless otherwise credited underneath.
BABE
(The anthropomorphic jogging stroller)
Rt 30 west of
Chambersburg
Rt 30
Breezewood
Rt 281 west of Somerset
"Family Reunion"
Lake Erie
"Halfway"
L. Fair
Logistics Boss
L. Fair
K. Kauffman
Social Media Maven
K. Kauffman
L. Portzline
Communications Advisor
L. Portzline
F. Gump
Exemplar
Mama?
B. Turner, Office of
U.S. Rep T. Platts, York
D. and S. Fair
Hosts, Pittsburgh
M. Cianci, Owner
Cianci's Motel, Greenville
K. Flynn, Owner
Bradford Inn B&B, Towanda
Devoe's Barber Shop
Dickson City, "Opening Day"
J. Donelan, Cmdr
A.L. Post 568, Scranton
Progeny
Bethlehem
Rocky
Phila. Museum of Art
Azavea.com Team
Philadelphia
M. Milne + J. Curry
Supporters, Philadelphia
E. Bryant
Supporter, At the Finish
P. Bannan
Mr. (Mrs.?) Ed
Bentleyville
View from W. End
Bridge, Pittsburgh
Rt. 98 Edinborough
"Potential Lodging"
Lake Erie
"Afoot"
Rt. 6 west of
Smethport
Rt. 6 east of
Wysox
Rt. 191 Overlook
Lehigh Valley
Ben Franklin Pkwy
Philadelphia
Flight 93 Memorial Chapel
Shanksville
Rt. 6 Corry
"Oh crap"
Rt. 6 Potter County
True!
Rt. 6 Mainesburg, Voted
"Best Street
Sign of the Run"
Rt. 6 Burlington
"Temptation"
PA Route 6, "One of
America's Most Scenic Drives"
Rt. 191 Stockerton
"Shut Up!"
Rt. 191 Nazareth, Voted
"Best Motel
Sign of the Run"
Test run, view 1
Radnor Twp
B. Ecklund
Test run, view 2
Radnor Twp
B. Ecklund
At the Start
"Pontificating"
P. Bannan
At the Start
"First Steps"
P. Bannan
At the Start
"Next Steps"
M. Milne
Memorial Square
Chambersburg
M. DeLoach
Lincoln Hwy
Bedford
E. Kohler
Flight 93 Memorial
Shanksville
Rt. 281 west of
Somerset
R. Vogel
Rt. 208 motel stop
Grove City
K. Struthers
Rt. 6
Corry
M.A. Mook
Rt. 6
Meshoppen
At the Finish
"Baton Pass"
P. Bannan
At the Finish
Wayne War Memorial
P. Bannan
×
![]()