The Complete History of Cross-Country Running

Starred review from February 15, 2018
What sport is more pure than cross-country racing, where individuals and teams run in open-air courses over fields, trails, dirt, and grass? Hutchinson, a former NCAA Division III runner and cross-country coach, does a marvelous job documenting the lengthy history of cross-country running from the early 1800s, when the sport developed from hare and hounds or paper chase events in England to the present day, when groups are advocating that cross-country be reestablished as an Olympic event. This easy-to-read history, which has added value as a reference source, recounts significant national and international cross-country events and identifies current trends in the sport. Testimonials from such Olympic and world champions as Bill Rodgers, Deena Kastor, and Paula Radcliffe, who credit cross-country for their success at road racing and track and field, speak to the appeal of and their passion for this style of racing. The 17 chapters are divided mainly by decades, and each includes an Event Spotlight, such as the 1969 Pac-8 Cross Country Championship, featuring icons Gerry Lindgren and Steve Prefontaine. Interesting Did You Know? sidebars are peppered throughout. Two noteworthy Cultural Spotlight sections feature women in the sport and Kit, Equipment, and Technology. This is a well-researched, informative tribute to cross-country running and belongs in most public-library sports collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)