When Running Made History

When Running Made History

When Running Made History

Robinson takes readers on a globe-trotting tour that combines a historian’s in­sight with vivid personal memories going back to just after World War II. From experiencing the 1948 “Austerity Olympics” in London as a young spectator to working as a journalist in the Boston Marathon media center at the moment of the 2013 bombings, Robinson offers a fascinating first-person account of the tragic and triumphant moments that impacted the world and shaped the modern sport. He chronicles the beginnings of the American running boom, the emergence of women's running, the end of the old amateur rules, and the redefinition of aging for athletes and amateurs. With an intimate perspective and insightful reporting, Robinson captures major historical events through the lens of running. He recounts running in Berlin at the time of German reunification in 1990, organizing a replacement track meet in New Zealand after the disastrous 2011 earthquake, and the tri­umph of Ethiopian athlete Abebe Bikila in the 1960 Olympics in Rome. As an avid runner, journalist, and fan, Robinson brings these global events to life and reveals the intimate and powerful ways in which running has intersected with recent history.

The Complete History of Cross-Country Running

In The Complete History of Cross-Country Running, author Andrew Boyd Hutchinson captures the full history of cross-country running, from the early 1800s to the present day, on both a national and international scale. It includes chronicles of legendary teams, inspirational tales of achievement, controversies, and interviews with record-breaking runners past and present. From Walter George and Alfred Shrubb to Steve Prefontaine, Bill Rogers, and Galen Rupp—and everyone in between—Hutchinson uncovers all angles, via training logs, discussions with coaches, and the review of newspaper archives for race results and forgotten storylines. He offers commentary from Olympians such as David Torrence and Shannon Rowbury, amongst others. Along the way, the book addresses the following topics: • How cross country began in England • How the sport found its way to American colleges and universities • The birth of the International Cross-Country Championships • All the close events, including the 2012 race between Molly Huddle and Sara Hall at the US National Cross-Country Championship • And so much more!