Hal Higdon
Hal Higdon began his professional career as a gag cartoonist, but soon switched to writing and eventually became best known as Senior Writer for Runner's World and author of 34 books, including the best-selling Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide. But he has written books on many subjects and different age groups. His children's book, The Horse That Played Center Field, was made into an animated feature by ABC-TV. He ran eight times in the Olympic Trials and won four world masters championships. One of the founders of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA), Higdon also was a finalist in NASA's Journalist-in-Space program to ride the space shuttle. He also works as a training consultant for the LaSalle Banks Chicago Marathon and operates that race's InterActive Training Guide that sends daily emails to runners. Lately, he has returned to his earlier love of art, producing paintings such as the one shown above. Hal's wife, Rose, hikes, bikes, skis and supports him in his running and writing. They have three children and nine grandchildren.