When race walker John Buckley crossed the finish line at the Des Moines, Iowa, marathon earlier this month, he became one of only a handful of non-US citizens to complete a full 26.2 mile marathon in all 50 US states.

And it's likely Buckley is the only Bermuda athlete to have achieved such a feat.

The 64-year-old's marathon adventure began back in 1992 when he entered the New York race and since then he has combined his travel interests with his love of marathoning.

"It has been a remarkable journey," Buckley said.

"I have experienced many of America's natural wonders from majestic mountains to tranquil lakes, from deserts to prairies and from sea to shining sea."

It is not just the geographic highlights that stand out, however, since man-made creations also figure prominently on any marathon course.

"My races have seen me starting on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, taken me to The Alamo, past Arlington Cemetery, along Route 66, around Churchill Downs racecourse, through White Sands missile range, into a Magic Kingdom and finishing in The Superdome, to mention just a few of the sights experienced," he said.

As for his favourite race, Buckley was non-committal.

"They all have something to offer," he said. "Race directors try to go out of their way to make their marathons as attractive as possible by incorporating their area's unique heritage into the event.

"The urban races tend to generate more excitement in terms of larger expos, music on the course and enthusiastic crowds of spectators but the smaller races often make up for that by their spectacular scenery and friendly volunteers.

"Indeed, the people you meet and the conversations you strike up may ultimately be the over-riding memory of a particular race."

Buckley estimates he has taken upwards of 200 flights and logged over a quarter of a million miles during his marathon quest.

He completed the Des Moines course in 5:17:38 and admits that at 64 he is slowing down but has no intention to hang up his sneakers just yet.

"There are always new challenges and new places to see and I am reminded that it's not the destination but the journey that is important."