Author Archive
There was the grey of the overcast skies and the hair of 54-year-old Sister Marion Irvine. There was the evergreen of Douglas fir and 16-year-old Cathy Schiro. There was the gold of the Scotch broom and the dreams of the top three finishers. There was the mystery and misery and mastery of Joan Benoit. There…
Brother/Sister acts in sport are rare. Not since the Heidens of Olympic ice-skating fame have we seen the likes of the Wapitis of New Mexico, a pair of Native Americans who have risen to the top of the prep ranks in the Southwest. THE JACKRABBIT AND THE COYOTE Distant mountains framed the fertile valley…
I have fond memories of the race. We were treated very nicely. I felt like a “rock star.” Kathy Lee Crosby was on the course as a commentator. I collapsed at 17 miles with heat exhaustion. – Jan Arenz Klecker What happens when you unearth an important event in history that no one remembers? They…
Bloomsday: Spokane’s iconic annual 12K race, organized by the Lilac Bloomsday Association, attracts thousands each May. Since 1977, it’s been a beloved tradition fostering health, fitness, and community spirit. The challenging course winds through scenic streets, showcasing landmarks and providing a unique experience for runners of all levels. Beyond a sporting event, Bloomsday is a…
Sarah Herrington, the stellar 1500-meter specialist from the Twin Cities has transplanted to St. Louis in an attempt to change her luck. The winner of countless Invitational and Relays titles, the 5’11” track star is most famous for what she has not achieved, namely, a berth on the U.S. Olympic Team. Chapter Two SARAH HERRINGTON Their love…
Nightmares exist outside of logic, and there’s little fun to be had in explanations; they’re antithetical to the poetry of fear. ― Stephen King Nighttime can be a fright time. Let me tell you a true story. Happened just a few days ago. Make of it what you will. It’s late at night. I’m alone. I’m…
Another amazing tale you won’t believe, where your superannuated reporter drives through THE STORM FROM HELL, keeps pace with three 2:20ish marathoners and a three-time Conference Mile Champion and meets a future marathon star and gets a medicinal chocolate milk shake. There was also a big brown dog. WEDNESDAY, I walked Ragnar, cleaned up and…
This book is dedicated to every person who has ever pursued a difficult goal and followed that quest to its conclusion. – Jay Birmingham, Raleigh, North Carolina 2024 Chapter One BILL SZYMCZAK At this distance, details are lost: all I can see is a terrible crush of bodies. The panicked mob pushes, everyone mindless…
Writing is hard. Personally, I’d rather read. So, I will be offering Throwback Thursdays as needed. It’s Thursday in Europe.2015, still trying to convince myself there was still a chance I could run. And ‘still’ it was. “Old age is very demanding somehow,” author Kay Boyle once wrote a much younger friend. “One knows what…
I thought about how many preconceived notions would crumble when I trotted along for 26 miles. – Bobbi Gibb, first woman to finish the Boston Marathon, 1966 Where To Watch This year’s Boston Marathon will be aired live in its entirely throughout New England on WCVB-Channel 5 (coverage from 4:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.), and nationally on…