Runner's World

by Dana-Susan Crews

1969 was a big year. Richard Nixon was president. The Vietnam War was in full force. More than half a million people gathered in Woodstock, NY for a concert that featured some pretty amazing talent. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid premiered. The New York Jets won the Super Bowl, the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup, and Neil Armstrong walked on the moon.

Yes, lots of exciting things were happening in the world. Among them was the very first edition of a running magazine called Distance Running News. The following year, the magazine's name changed to "Runner's World" and as of today, well over 500 editions of the magazine have been published.

John "The Penguin" Bingham got his start as a running columnist at Runner's World. Team In Training (one of my all-time favorite charities to work for) participants have been featured many times in the magazine over the years. My own family was featured back in June 2008. In the summer of 2013, an article in the magazine featured the boom of charity running and mentioned the founder of TNT, Bruce Cleland. You can read that article HERE.

The sport of running was once considered something for the elite only. Its popularity has steadily increased over the years. Magazines like Runner's World are now more popular than ever, especially the online versions. As runners, we continue to learn more and more from articles on running form, stretching, nutrition, shoes, and much more.

Celebrities, politicians, athletes, extraordinary heroes, and common people have graced the cover of Runner's World over the years. Check out some of these covers...

President George W. Bush, a marathoner,
graced the cover in October 2002

Will Ferrell struck a pose while running the Boston
Marathon and made the cover in March 2003

Sarah Reinertsen made the cover in December 2004.
The next year she became the first above the knee amputee
to compete at Ironman in Kona.

Meb Keflezighi on the May 2010 cover

The December 2013 cover featured the "November Project",
a brand of running tribes fueled by fun, camaraderie and social media.

The July 2013 magazine honored the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing.
Its cover reminded us all of the strength and great bond of the running community.