By Sal Citarella

It’s not just a legend. Ask your Dad, back when he was a hot-shot runner. There were running magazines printed on paper! These often came in the mail. I mean, the USPS Mailman would deliver it to your door, or maybe they’d be available at races or in running-shoe stores. No, I wasn’t being discriminatory; the mail was delivered by Mailmen. I understand your questioning me on this, as now we only have Mail Carriers who deliver junk.

Runner’s World was perhaps the most popular mag, as it featured long leggy young women on its covers and advertised a wide array of the latest in shoe fashion. To make my point, a Saudi once told me he found it offensive. Regardless, some of the writers were truly knowledgeable and instructive. Dr. George Sheehan and Joe Henderson are names that should never be forgotten for their contribution to the sport.

Running Times was another. Ultra Running, as the name makes clear, went for the long ones, Trail Runner, Double Runner, Women’s Running. Do you see a common theme, here? Running sold magazines.

Rich Benyo and Jan Seeley published Marathon & Beyondas a bimonthly paperback catering to those who preferred longer and/or gnarlier runs.

Drs. Kenneth Cooper and David Costill taught us all about our aerobic capacity.

Sports Illustrated had a much wider field of interest than just running but Kenny Moore knew all about world-class racing from personal experience.

John L. Parker, Hal Higdon, and Don Kardong would frequently appear in mags or in books.   

There were many more mags available, some serving smaller communities or clubs, but all had faithful followers. Runner’s Gazette was, of course, best and it wasn’t a magazine at all, catering primarily to the PA, MD area. Published in newspaper format, folded and addressed with care, it was America’s First Running Newspaper- Established September 1976. In it, Ms. Road Manners would tell us how to behave and Bernie Greene would tell us how to misbehave. It’s still my favorite running mag, even if I have to sit in front of my computer rather than sit in my lawn chair to read it.

I’ll admit I’m a bit obsessive about the printed word, but then I grew up with it and perhaps you didn’t. Your loss.

Categories: Features

Tags: 2024, Sal Citarella