West Virginia

West Virginia earns the recognition as the only state to be part of the Union through the proclamation of the President of the United States. It became a state in 1863. This is a highly forested state; in fact, it is third in the country in terms of the amount of forested areas. For this reason, the timber industry and protected woodlands are thriving in this state. It is also the only state that is located completely within the Appalachian Mountain region. Hence, it isn’t a surprise that West Virginia plays host to a number of marathon races held throughout the year with some navigating these mountainous terrains.