Rice University Professor of Psychology Has Completed Marathons in All 50 States

Michelle “Mikki” Hebl is a professor of psychology at Rice University in Houston. Earlier this month, she completed a remarkable journey by competing in and finishing marathons in all 50 states. Marathons are 26.2 miles races of endurance.

Professor Hebl competed in her first marathon 15 years ago in San Antonio, Texas, while she was a graduate student at Texas A&M University. It would be four years before her next marathon, this time in New Hampshire. Over the next 11 years she ran in marathons in the 48 other states. This month she completed the 50-state circuit by finishing a marathon at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina. It was her eighth marathon of 2011.

Professor Hebl is a graduate of Smith College. She earned a master’s degree at Texas A&M University and a Ph.D. in psychology at Dartmouth College.