Overview
Offering an inside look at the most famous marathon in the world, this exploration traces the Boston Marathon's 26.2-mile route from the starting line on narrow Main Street in Hopkinton to the Boylston Street finish line in downtown Boston, bringing to life the history, personalities, pivotal moments, and individual character of each city the race traverses. The Boston Marathon includes well-researched briefs on topics including Metcalf's Mill at Ashland, the unmarked starting point of the first race in 1897, the infamous 1967 battle over Kathrine Switzer's attempt to compete five years before women were allowed, and other vital race-day elements. The book also includes a tribute to the victims of the tragic 2013 bombing near the finish line. This is a supremely entertaining glimpse at the history of the greatest running event in the world—from wacky entrants to hard-fisted managers, tortured disappointments, and glorious triumph.
Author Biography
Tom Derderian is a former New England road race champion who ran in the Olympic Trials in both 1972 and 1976. He is the author of the award-winning book The Boston Marathon: The First Century of the World’s Premier Running Event and The Boston Marathon: A Century of Blood, Sweat, and Cheers. He lives in Winthrop, Massachusetts. Bill Rodgers has won the Boston Marathon and New York City Marathon four times each. In 1998, he was inducted to the National Distance Running Hall of Fame, and in 1999, he was inducted to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame.
Press Releases
The Boston Marathon:
A Celebration of America’s Greatest Race
By Tom Derderian
Foreword by Bill Rodgers
One Day, One Race, One Boston
Few events in sports have been able to generate such international interest while maintaining a truly hometown flavor as the Boston Marathon, which continues to thrive more than a century after its first running. The 117-year-old race is unique among marathons for the intimacy it exudes despite its standing as the most prestigious race of its kind, annually attracting the greatest runners on the planet.
Offering an inside look at the most famous race in the world, The Boston Marathon: A Celebration of America’s Greatest Race (Triumph Books, April 2014) by Tom Derderian, traces the Boston Marathon's 26.2-mile route from the starting line on narrow Main Street in Hopkinton to the Boylston Street finish line in downtown Boston, bringing to life the history, personalities, pivotal moments, and individual character of each city the race traverses, including:
- A jarring retelling of the tragic 2013 bombing near the finish line, from the perspective of 1968 winner Amby Burfoot
- The unmarked and original starting point for the first Boston Marathon in 1897: Metcalf’s Mill in Ashland
- The infamous 1967 battle over Kathrine Switzer’s attempt to compete five years before women were allowed
The Boston Marathon is a supremely entertaining glimpse at the history of the greatest running event in the world – from wacky entrants to hard-fisted managers, tortured disappointments, and glorious triumph – and a must-have leading up to what is sure to be an emotional and unforgettable 118th edition of the race.
About the Author:
Tom Derderian trained and ran marathons through the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s with a personal best time of two hours and 19 minutes. He has contributed to Running Times and Runners World, is head cross-country and track coach of the Greater Boston Track Club, and has worked in research and design for running shoes and apparel for Nike and Reebok. He is a senior writer for New England Runner Magazine, president of USATF-NE, and lives in Winthrop, Massachusetts, with his wife. They have two daughters.
Contact: Josh Williams - Triumph Books - 312.568.5404 - j.williams@triumphbooks.com
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