Apr 21, 2008

Running Running


My sister, Bonney, is running the Boston Marathon today for the third time. I've always been right there, watching her progress at different points along the route, but this year we're keeping track vitually, and our images of the day come from webcasts. I've completed all these work tasks -- writing, phone calls, emails -- I've also had lunch and walked the dog, and my sister is still running. Running as part of the American Liver Foundation's Run for Research Team, running to raise funds and awareness of ALF's research efforts and especially running for difference live donor transplants made in her life. It's a great thing she's doing and I'm riveted by every update.
I thought I'd mention some books about marathons for kids, but you know what? There aren't many. There's a nonfiction picture book, The First Marathon: The Legend of Pheidippides by Susan Reynolds, published by Albert Whitman. I remember a photo in Sue Macy's terrific Winning Ways that showed a man going after Katherine Switzer, the first woman to officially enter Boston's race in 1967 (though it wasn't until 1972 that women were "allowed" to enter.)There must be more. Judging from the excited reaction I see from kids watching the marathon I think it would make a good story.

2 comments:

Sue Macy said...

Laurina:
Thanks for mentioning my book, WINNING WAYS. Actually, there was a sequence of four photos in my book showing Kathrine Switzer being chased by Boston Marathon officials in 1967. The press truck just happened to be riding alongside Switzer when the officials found out she was a woman, and the photographers caught all of the drama on film. Although it's not for kids, Kathrine recently wrote a book about her experiences, called MARATHON WOMAN.

Kieran said...

My Mom is the best runner on our block.