The Olympic Marathon (Paperback)

by David E. Martin (Author), Roger W. H. Gynn (Author) "The word "marathon" did not appear in English language dictionaries prior to the mid-1890s..." (more)
Key Phrases: event finish line, laps counterclockwise, personal hest, Olympic Games, Los Angeles, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Sprinkle liberal marathon doses of physiology, psychology, counseling, coaching, training, and research; then add the world's most authoritative statistics and most reliable history. The product that emerges is Professor David Martin and Roger Gynn's The Olympic Marathon, the most compelling, commanding volume ever published on this classic event."
Stan Saplin
Historical Editor
Track & Field News
"A truly great and inspirational work. More than any event, the marathon symbolizes the Olympic movement because the race, unlike any other Olympic event, had the same origins as the Olympic Games themselves. With love and respect, Martin and Gynn tell the story of the runners and their races. This book will be an inspiration to anyone who has ever thought about running a marathon. For those training for a marathon, follow this prescription: read one race account every day before running. Repeat as necessary."
Tom Derderian
Author of Boston Marathon: The First Century of the World's Premier Running Event
"I expected a very good book, given the recognized prestige that David Martin enjoys among the athletic universe in the world, but the book bettered any expectations. It is a real jewel, both for the literature and the history of world athletics."
Cesar Moreno
Member, International Amateur Athletics Federation Council
Technical director, 1968 Mexico City Olympics Marathon

Product Description
Relive the high drama and rich details of the past century’s Olympic marathons!

Coauthor David Martin—the foremost authority on the history of the race and the performances of the athletes in it—presents a unique and multifaceted look at the Olympic marathon. He and Olympic marathon expert Roger Gynn have teamed up to provide a definitive resource that goes beyond statistics to offer readers a vivid chronicle of the athletes and their memorable marathon performances. For every Olympic marathon since 1896, you’ll find a detailed narrative of how the race was run, fascinating biographical details of the top finishers, the political climate surrounding the race, and a map with street descriptions of the actual race course.

Generously illustrated, often with rare and never-before-published photos, a pictorial glimpse is provided into the contemporary atmosphere and dynamics of each race. From the first marathon winner, Spiridon Louis, to legends like Emil Zátopek, Frank Shorter, and Joan Benoit Samuelson, you'll find insights and race details you can't find anywhere else. If you're a fan of running or the Olympics, this is the one book you will enjoy again and again for many Olympic years to come.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 511 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers (May 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880119691
• ISBN-13: 978-0880119696
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #967,456 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, encyclopedic, and detailed historical review., December 22, 2000

By	Dr. Dan Benardot (Atlanta, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews

The authors, Martin and Gynn, have put together an unbelieveably detailed review of every Olympic Marathon in the modern era. The detail provided brings the excitement of each successive Marathon alive. The Olympic Marathon is, perhaps, the most grueling Olympic event, and the comprehensive coverage of each race makes the reader feel as if it's taking place before their very eyes. Read this book and you'll get a sense of the drama of the event, the personal history of the runners, and the historical setting of each race. The authors have even reconstructed old Olympic documents to trace the paths each Olympic Marathon took. The information in this book is truly encyclopedic, and the authors have given us with a wonderful sense of what this race is about. This book is a gem.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Runners, September 29, 2001

By	Doulos (USA) - See all my reviews

If you are a runner (especially a marathoner) you have to get this book. It goes through every marathon in Olympic history, giving each race history, events, course, statistics, etc. It is very thorough, while pacing itself to get in all the Olympic marathons into a single volume. And, it was written in an interesting and readable manner.

The competition and sport of the races themselves give a great basis for an exciting read.

If you are doing a research project (like I was) this was the only book I would recommend - or, at least the first book. I could not find a book anywhere that showed the 1960 Rome Olympic course. Martin and Gynn had it. In fact, their race course map was better than the map a friend obtained for me from the Italian Olympic Library (Federazione Italiana Di Ateletica Leggera).

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Description of The Olympic Marthons through 2000, Men and Women, April 26, 2009

By	Daniel Hurley (Chesapeake, VA.) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Well done decent capsules on the Olympic Marathons up through the year 2000. The book contains very good descriptions of the contenders and the races as they unfold. Also contains a great collection of pictures such as Ron Clarke, who ran the 5K and 10K (medaled), leading the Tokyo marathon, finishing 9th. Beside the descriptions of the runners, the author includes the top finishers splits so you can see how they parried over the miles, includes a list of the top 10 finishers and the post race career of the gold medalist. The women of course join in 1984 when their first Olympic marathon comes into play. The stories, list of splits and finishers is just a great reference and the race descriptions are pleasant to read. One picture is so fitting and reminiscent of the seemingly bronze place finisher at the 2008 Olympics slipping to fourth in total helplessness on the last lap; there is an early picture of the leader of a race on the track running in the second lane on a curve while being passed on the inside by one and then a second runner, relegating the leader to bronze on that last lap and he appears, like the Ethiopian in 2008, to be defenseless.