Hal Higdon
Encyclopedia
Hal Higdon is an American
writer and runner. He has contributed to Runner's World
magazine longer than any other writer. He is the author of 34 books, including the best-selling Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide. He has worked as a freelance writer since 1959, and has written a variety of subjects including a children's book that was made into an animated feature. He ran eight times in the United States Olympic Trials
and won four World Masters Championships
. He is one of the founders of the Road Runners Club of America
(RRCA).
, Illinois
. In 1947, he participated in track at the University of Chicago's Laboratory School, placing fourth as a sophomore with a 5:04.7 mile. Due to switching schools, he did not run in his junior year, but he started again in his senior year and has been running ever since.
While attending Carleton College
in Northfield, Minnesota
, Higdon won the Midwest Conference titles in the mile, half-mile and cross-country. His best mile time (post-college time) was 4:13.6, and he had notable success at running long-distance races. He participated in the US Olympic Trials in 1952, running in the 10,000 meters race. Subsequently he entered the trials seven times over the years, with his best performance being fifth in the 3,000 meter steeplechase in 1960.
In 1959, Higdon's first marathon was the Boston Marathon
, where he dropped out at 22 miles. Five years later, he led through 19 miles before being passed by Aurele Vandendriessche
, who won the race. Higdon took fifth with a personal best of 2:21:55. As of 2006, he has completed in 111 marathons and has won four overall victories and numerous age-group firsts. In his article, Demolition Derby published in the Michigan Runner, Higdon said, "We take our victories where and when we can get them."
Higdon has worked as a freelance writer since 1959, covering various subjects including politics for the New York Times Magazine, science for National Geographic, business for Playboy
and aviation for Air & Space Smithsonian. In 1963, Sports Illustrated
published his article "On the Run from Dogs and People," which was expanded into a book in 1971.
In 1966, Higdon received a letter from a high school student in Overland Park, Kansas
. The student, Bob Anderson
, had started a magazine titled Distance Running News and he was seeking Higdon's help. Higdon offered an article that he had written for Sports Illustrated
to be published as a reprint in the second issue of Distance Running News; the publication that eventually became Runner's World
magazine. In 1968, during the Olympics, Higdon introduced George Sheehan to Joe Henderson
who later recruited him as medical editor for the magazine.
Several articles written by Higdon were included in a 2006 commemorative book which was edited by Richard Benyo
and was released in honor of the Boston Marathon.
Higdon's children's book, "The Horse That Played Center Field" was made into an animated feature by ABC-TV.
In 1980, Higdon received a Journalism Award as one of the founders of the Road Runners Club of America
(RRCA) and in 1981 was named to the RRCA Hall of Fame. In 1995, Higdon was presented with the Harold Hirsch Award by the North American Ski Journalists Association for his work in the South Bend Tribune, and in 2003 he was awarded a Career Achievement Award by the American Society of Journalist and Authors.
In 1975, Higdon's book "Leopold and Loeb, The Crime of the Century" was published. The book was reprinted in 1999 on the crime
's 75th anniversary. The Oakland tribune wrote: "Higdon's book outdoes anything Alfred Hitchcock ever filmed. It is a masterpiece of suspense."
Higdon still holds the current M40 and M45 American records
for the steeplechase
, both set in the mid-1970s.
Higdon currently lives with his wife, Rose, in Long Beach, Indiana
. Rose has co-authored a book with him about her Italo-Albanian heritage: "Falconara: A Family Odyssey." They have three children and nine grandchildren.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
writer and runner. He has contributed to Runner's World
Runner's World
Runner's World is a globally circulated monthly magazine for runners of all skills sets, published by Rodale Press in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
magazine longer than any other writer. He is the author of 34 books, including the best-selling Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide. He has worked as a freelance writer since 1959, and has written a variety of subjects including a children's book that was made into an animated feature. He ran eight times in the United States Olympic Trials
United States Olympic Trials (track and field)
The United States Olympic Trials for the sport of Track and Field is the quadrennial meet to select the United States representatives at the Olympic Games. Since 1992, the meet has also served as the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Because of the depth of competition in some events,...
and won four World Masters Championships
World Masters Games
The World Masters Games is an international multi-sport event held every four years which, in terms of competitor numbers, has developed into the largest of its kind....
. He is one of the founders of the Road Runners Club of America
Road Runners Club of America
Founded in 1958, the Road Runners Club of America is the oldest and largest distance running organization in the United States with over 1500 running club and event members representing 200,000 individual runners active in their running communities...
(RRCA).
Life and work
He grew up in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. In 1947, he participated in track at the University of Chicago's Laboratory School, placing fourth as a sophomore with a 5:04.7 mile. Due to switching schools, he did not run in his junior year, but he started again in his senior year and has been running ever since.
While attending Carleton College
Carleton College
Carleton College is an independent non-sectarian, coeducational, liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, USA. The college enrolls 1,958 undergraduate students, and employs 198 full-time faculty members. In 2012 U.S...
in Northfield, Minnesota
Northfield, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,147 people, 4,909 households, and 3,210 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,452.2 people per square mile . There were 5,119 housing units at an average density of 732.1 per square mile...
, Higdon won the Midwest Conference titles in the mile, half-mile and cross-country. His best mile time (post-college time) was 4:13.6, and he had notable success at running long-distance races. He participated in the US Olympic Trials in 1952, running in the 10,000 meters race. Subsequently he entered the trials seven times over the years, with his best performance being fifth in the 3,000 meter steeplechase in 1960.
In 1959, Higdon's first marathon was the Boston Marathon
Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon hosted by the U.S. city of Boston, Massachusetts, on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. Begun in 1897 and inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics, the Boston Marathon is the world's oldest...
, where he dropped out at 22 miles. Five years later, he led through 19 miles before being passed by Aurele Vandendriessche
Aurèle Vandendriessche
Aurèle Vandendriessche is a retired marathon runner from Belgium, who won the silver medal at the 1962 European Championships, behind Great Britain's Brian Kilby....
, who won the race. Higdon took fifth with a personal best of 2:21:55. As of 2006, he has completed in 111 marathons and has won four overall victories and numerous age-group firsts. In his article, Demolition Derby published in the Michigan Runner, Higdon said, "We take our victories where and when we can get them."
Higdon has worked as a freelance writer since 1959, covering various subjects including politics for the New York Times Magazine, science for National Geographic, business for Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
and aviation for Air & Space Smithsonian. In 1963, Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
published his article "On the Run from Dogs and People," which was expanded into a book in 1971.
Runner's World
In 1966, Higdon received a letter from a high school student in Overland Park, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
. The student, Bob Anderson
Bob Anderson (runner)
Bob Anderson is an American runner, photographer, publisher and film producer. He is the founder of Runner's World magazine. A desire to find information about running and racing led him to a career in magazine and book publishing for more than twenty years...
, had started a magazine titled Distance Running News and he was seeking Higdon's help. Higdon offered an article that he had written for Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
to be published as a reprint in the second issue of Distance Running News; the publication that eventually became Runner's World
Runner's World
Runner's World is a globally circulated monthly magazine for runners of all skills sets, published by Rodale Press in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
magazine. In 1968, during the Olympics, Higdon introduced George Sheehan to Joe Henderson
Joe Henderson (runner)
Joe Henderson is an American runner, running coach, writer, and former chief editor of Runner's World magazine. He currently writes for Marathon & Beyond magazine, and since 1982, a weekly column entitled "Joe Henderson's Running Commentary"...
who later recruited him as medical editor for the magazine.
Several articles written by Higdon were included in a 2006 commemorative book which was edited by Richard Benyo
Richard Benyo
Richard Stephen Benyo is an American journalist and veteran distance runner. He is the editor of Marathon & Beyond Magazine, a magazine devoted to marathon and ultramarathon running. He is also the former executive editor of Runner's World Magazine, and Anderson World Books, Inc...
and was released in honor of the Boston Marathon.
Other accomplishments
Higdon's children's book, "The Horse That Played Center Field" was made into an animated feature by ABC-TV.
In 1980, Higdon received a Journalism Award as one of the founders of the Road Runners Club of America
Road Runners Club of America
Founded in 1958, the Road Runners Club of America is the oldest and largest distance running organization in the United States with over 1500 running club and event members representing 200,000 individual runners active in their running communities...
(RRCA) and in 1981 was named to the RRCA Hall of Fame. In 1995, Higdon was presented with the Harold Hirsch Award by the North American Ski Journalists Association for his work in the South Bend Tribune, and in 2003 he was awarded a Career Achievement Award by the American Society of Journalist and Authors.
In 1975, Higdon's book "Leopold and Loeb, The Crime of the Century" was published. The book was reprinted in 1999 on the crime
Leopold and Loeb
Nathan Freudenthal Leopold, Jr. and Richard Albert Loeb , more commonly known as "Leopold and Loeb", were two wealthy University of Michigan alumni and University of Chicago students who murdered 14-year-old Robert "Bobby" Franks in 1924 and were sentenced to life imprisonment.The duo were...
's 75th anniversary. The Oakland tribune wrote: "Higdon's book outdoes anything Alfred Hitchcock ever filmed. It is a masterpiece of suspense."
Higdon still holds the current M40 and M45 American records
United States records in masters athletics
These are the current American records in the various age groups of masters athletics. Starting at age 35, each age group starts on the athlete's birthday in years that are evenly divisible by 5 and extends until the next such occurrence. For record purposes, older athletes are not included in...
for the steeplechase
Steeplechase (athletics)
The steeplechase is an obstacle race in athletics, which derives its name from the steeplechase in horse racing.-Rules:The length of the race is usually 3000 m; junior events are 2000 m, as women's events formerly were. The circuit has four ordinary barriers and one water jump. Over 3000 m, each...
, both set in the mid-1970s.
Higdon currently lives with his wife, Rose, in Long Beach, Indiana
Long Beach, Indiana
Long Beach is a town in Michigan Township, LaPorte County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2010 census, Long Beach population was 1,179. It is included in the Michigan City, Indiana-La Porte, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. Rose has co-authored a book with him about her Italo-Albanian heritage: "Falconara: A Family Odyssey." They have three children and nine grandchildren.
Books
- The Union vs Dr. Mudd (1964), Follett, ASIN B0006BM038
- Inside Pro Football (1968), Grosset & Dunlap, ASIN B000GQHDL2
- The Horse that Played Center Field, Holt Rinehart and Winston; 1st edition (1969), ASIN B000GHTCP6
- The Business Healers (1969), ASIN B0006DEMPA
- Champions of the Tennis Court (1971), Prentice-Hall, ISBN 0-13-125419-7
- The Electronic Olympics (1971), Henry Holt & Company, Inc., ISBN 0-03-080224-5
- Finding the Groove (1973), Putman, ISBN 0-399-11144-1
- The Last Series (1974), Dutton, ISBN 0-525-33395-9
- Hitting, Pitching and Fielding (1978) Putnam Pub Group Library, ISBN 0-399-61117-7
- The Marathoners (1980) G.P. Putnam's Sons, ISBN 0-399-20695-7
- Beginners Running Guide (1987) Anderson World; Revised edition, ISBN 0-89037-130-X
- Run Fast: How to Train for a 5-K or 10-K Race (1992), Rodale, ISBN 0-87596-103-7
- Marathon: The Ultimate Guide (1993), Rodale, ISBN 0-87596-159-2
- Johnny Rutherford (1994), X-S Books, Inc., ISBN 0-399-61136-3
- On the Run from Dogs and People (1995), Roadrunner Pr; 3RD edition, ISBN 0-9636346-2-3
- Hal Higdon's How to Train: The Best Programs, Workouts, And Schedules For Runners Of All Ages (1997) Rodale, ISBN 0-87596-352-8
- Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide (1999), ISBN 1-57954-171-2
- Run Fast: How to Beat Your Best Time--- Every Time (2000) Rodale Books; Rev Ed edition, ISBN 1-57954-269-7
- Henderson, Joe, and Hal Higdon, Running 101 (2000), Human Kinetics Publishers; 1 edition (August 2000) ISBN 0-7360-3056-5
- Marathon A-Z, (2002), The Lyons Press, ISBN 1-58574-453-0
- Masters Running: A Guide To Running And Staying Fit After 40 (2005) Rodale, ISBN 1-59486-021-1
- Marathon (2006) Rodale International Ltd, ISBN 1-4050-8799-4