Alex’s Great State Race evolves with 'What’s Your 64?' challenge

For more than a decade, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan ROTC cadets have honored the legacy of MSU student Alex Powell by carrying the rivalry football game ball 64 miles between the two campuses in the middle of the night.

This October, that tradition is evolving.

Instead of focusing solely on the 64-mile journey, the 2026 Alex’s Great State Race is expanding into “What’s Your 64?” — an inclusive challenge that invites anyone to choose their own way to complete a goal of 64 while raising awareness and support for students with disabilities.

The change preserves the spirit of the original race — bringing MSU and U-M together in support of students with disabilities — while creating a new way for more people to participate. “What’s Your 64?” carries forward the tradition’s focus on determination, connection and shared purpose while opening it up to the broader campus and community.

The challenge opens a tradition once primarily led by ROTC cadets to students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members of all abilities. Participants can choose 64 repetitions, laps, pages, acts of kindness or minutes spent doing an activity meaningful to them. They can complete the challenge at once or throughout the month of October then share their experience and challenge someone else to participate.

The idea is simple: Choose it. Do it. Pass it on.

Carrying Alex’s legacy forward

Alex Powell was an MSU student who was diagnosed with cancer during his first year on campus. As he continued his education, MSU’s Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, or RCPD, provided accommodations to support him while he received medical care at the University of Michigan.

Following Alex’s passing, his parents, Steve and Juliana Powell, established Alex’s Great State Race. The tradition brought MSU and U-M together to honor his memory while supporting students with disabilities — connecting two rival universities through a shared purpose.

For more than a decade, ROTC cadets from both universities carried the game ball 64 miles between East Lansing and Ann Arbor ahead of the annual rivalry football game. The overnight journey represented sacrifice, commitment and unity.

Those ideas remain at the center of the initiative even as its format changes.

Rachel Giddings, who works at MSU RCPD and is on the Alex’s Great State Race planning committee, said this year’s shift places a greater focus on disability awareness and creating an inclusive opportunity for everyone to participate. Rather than asking everyone to complete the same physical challenge, “What’s Your 64?” allows each participant to decide what 64 means to them. The goal is to encourage participation and inspire others to continue the challenge.

Making the tradition more inclusive

The expanded format also connects to the focus on disability awareness at the heart of Alex’s story.

By allowing participants to adapt their 64 to their own interests and abilities, the challenge creates more opportunities for people to take part. Someone might walk 64 laps, read 64 pages, volunteer for 64 minutes or complete 64 acts of kindness. Others can create an entirely different challenge that holds personal meaning.

ROTC cadets from MSU and U-M will continue their role in carrying the tradition forward through a shared “What’s Your 64?” challenge that brings the two universities together once again. According to Giddings, the groups are planning to participate together, at the Hadley Family Recreation and Well-Being Center, followed by a 64-minute wheelchair basketball game.

The activity reflects one of the central goals behind this year’s transition: maintaining the connection to Alex’s Great State Race while creating a new tradition that can include more people and bring greater attention to disability awareness.

What’s Your 64?

Throughout October, participants are encouraged to document their challenges through photos or videos and share them on social media. Participants can explain what they chose and why before challenging friends, classmates, teammates, coworkers or organizations to find their own 64.

The campaign uses the hashtags #WhatsYour64, #AGSR2026 and #AlexsGreatStateRace, with participants encouraged to tag @msurcpd and @run4alex on Instagram.

Participation is free and donations are not required but are encouraged. Those who choose to give can support services and programs for students with disabilities at MSU and U-M. At MSU, donations help support the work of RCPD and efforts that promote access, inclusion and opportunity for disabled students.

Although the way to participate in Alex’s Great State Race may look different in 2026, its purpose remains rooted in the legacy that started it.

One student’s story brought two rival universities together. Now, “What’s Your 64?” gives more people the opportunity to carry that legacy forward — 64 at a time.

Learn more about “What’s Your 64?” and how to participate.

To support Spartan students with disabilities through a donation, visit “What’s Your 64? A Challenge Inspired by Alex’s Great State Race” on CrowdPower.