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Title: 26 Miles to Boston: The Boston Marathon Experience from Hopkinton to Copley Square by Michael Connelly ISBN: 1-58574-828-5 Publisher: The Lyons Press Pub. Date: 01 March, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.27 (11 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: In defense, sort of, of bandits . . .
Comment: I read this book as someone looking forward to doing his first Boston Marathon (20th overall) next April. I can't imagine a better introduction to subject. It is rich in history, anecdote and illustration. And its mile by mile "feel" for the course brings the event alive. I suspect it is the closest thing to a definitive book on the subject. But particularly I want to address the criticism (in one of these reviews) that it is written by a participant who didn't qualify for the event -- i.e., a "bandit." I agree (with the critic) that achieving a qualifying time is an important part of the experience. Doing a 3:42 marathon in Portland (Ore.), after my most diligent training ever, brought me my greatest thrill as a runner (at age 65!). But as a first-time marathoner, Michael Connelly conveys a delightful naivete and sense of wonder that by definition a "qualifying" marathoner couldn't. I found myself particularly looking forward to the italicized paragraphs begun with his initials "MPC:". Secondly, whether the Boston Athletic Association or any of the official runners likes it or not, "bandits" constitute a regular part of the landscape. It seems significant that the BAA, on the book's jacket, offers an endorsement of "26 Miles to Boston." One more thought: Three-time winner Uta Pippig of Germany, quoted throughout, comes across as such a classy, wonderful athlete and human being that her spirit ought to be bottled.
Rating: 2
Summary: Disgusted by inclusion of bandit experience
Comment: I bought Michael Connelly's 26 Miles to Boston as a Christmas gift for my husband. I was aghast to read that the author had run the race as a bandit (i.e. not registered--either by qualifying, as part of a charity program or any of the other ways to LEGALLY run without qualifying). This one fact all but ruined what otherwise would have been an entertaining and interesting book about one of the world's greatest running events. In particular, his tirade against Marty Liquori, who had the temerity to suggest on-air that unregistered runners respect the Boston Athletic Association's rules and decline from taking advantage of the many course amenities for which they didn't pay (in Mr. Connelly's case this included the expertise of medical staff after the race), reduced my respect for him as a "runner" to the point that I couldn't enjoy the book. I suspect other runners who do respect this great race may have similar feelings. It took me several years to get to the point that I could even consider trying to qualify for Boston; Mr. Connelly decided six months ahead of time to begin a running career and had such a sense of entitlement as to feel that the world owed him the privilege of running the Boston Marathon right off the bat. This would have been a much better book without the inclusion of Mr. Connelly's self-righteously conceived, ill-advised personal experience.
Rating: 5
Summary: Runners Rejoice!
Comment: Never has a book captured the essence of not only running Boston, but mararthoning as 26 Miles to Boston has. The author's account of his run humanizes the event - and puts a face on the Boston Marathon like never before. In my mind any concerns with the runner's running status (non-qualified) are put to rest by the fact that the three greatest runners ever to run the Boston Marathon support the book with personal endorsements in the form of forewords. Also the Boston Athletic Association lends their own quote to the cover of the book further endorsing the author's account of the Boston Marathon. In my mind the Boston Marathon is the greatest race in the world. People come from all over the world to run in this event - some are qualified some are not. What makes it special is the fact that all are provided the opportunity to compete in the "Open" event. The Boston Marathon is not just for "elite" runners, but runners of all levels, nationalities and backgrounds. I love the way 26 Miles to Boston captured the special qualities of the race and intertwined the author's account and the champions' accounts of the race. I would recommend this book to all runners, marathoners and fans of the Boston Marathon, the elite and non-elite alike.
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Title: Boston Marathon: The First Century of the World's Premier Running Event by Tom Derderian, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Bill Rodgers ISBN: 0880114797 Publisher: Human Kinetics Pub Pub. Date: February, 1996 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
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Title: The Boston Marathon: A Century of Blood, Sweat, and Cheers by Tom Derderian, Triumph Books, Bill Rodgers ISBN: 1572435437 Publisher: Triumph Books Pub. Date: April, 2003 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Advanced Marathoning by Pete Pfitzinger, Scott Douglas ISBN: 0736034315 Publisher: Human Kinetics (T) Pub. Date: February, 2001 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Boston, a Century of Running: Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Boston Athletic Association Marathon by Hal Higdon ISBN: 0875962831 Publisher: Rodale Press Pub. Date: November, 2000 List Price(USD): $40.00 |
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Title: 4 Months to A 4 Hour Marathon by Dave Kuehls ISBN: 0399524150 Publisher: Perigee Pub. Date: July, 1998 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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