Kings of the Road: How Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, and Alberto Salazar Made Running Go Boom

by Cameron Stracher

Winner of the 2015 Armory Foundation Book Award from the Track & Field Writers of America
For fans of The Perfect Mile and Born to Run , a riveting, three-pronged narrative about the golden era of running in America—the 1970s—as seen through running greats, Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, and Alberto Salazar
It was 1978. Jimmy Carter was President; gas prices were soaring; and Americans were hunkering down to weather the economic crisis. But in bookstores Jim Fixx’s The Complete Book of Running was a bestseller. Frank Shorter’s gold medal in the 1972 Olympic marathon had put distance running in the mind of a public enamored of baseball and football. Suddenly, the odd activity of "jogging" became "running," and America was in love.

That summer, a junior from the University of Oregon named Alberto Salazar went head to head with Olympic champion Frank Shorter and Boston Marathon champion Bill Rodgers at the Falmouth Road Race, losing in the last mile to Rodgers's record-setting 32:21, nearly dying in the process, and setting the stage for a great rivalry. In Shorter, Rodgers, and Salazar, running had its conflict and drama like boxing had Ali and Foreman, like basketball had Russell and Chamberlain. Each man built on what the other achieved, and each pushed the other to succeed. Their successes, in turn, fueled a nation of coach potatoes to put down the remote and lace up their sneakers.

Kings of the Road tells the story of running during that golden period from 1972 to 1981 when Shorter, Rodgers, and Salazar captured the imagination of the American public as they passed their figurative baton from one to the other. These three men were American running during those years, while the sport enjoyed a popularity never equaled. As America now experiences a similar running boom, Kings of the Road is a stirring, inspiring narrative of three men pushing themselves toward greatness and taking their country along for the ride.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports, History

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Cameron Stracher practices and teaches law. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, the New York Times Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal, among other publications. He lives in Westport, CT, with his wife, two children, and two dogs, not necessarily in that order.

Reviews

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comments based advanced reader's copy - thanks Houghton Mifflin. Exceptional history of the great American distance runners, their impact on the sport, their many meetings in the Falmouth road race, and the rise and fall of American distance runners as world class athletes. For an older reader like myself it depicted the golden age of American running; when race entry fees were under $10 and you could run shoulder to shoulder (for a few yards)with the best in the world and share a beer with them after the race. The author depicts just how good the likes of Shorter, Rodgers, and Salazar were in advance of scientific training methods, dietitians, and performance enhancing drugs - when training to be a world class athlete meant running more and faster, and repeating the process, and doing so without being an over paid prima donna. Recommended to distance runners and especially recommended to those interested in sporting history, and the study of sport in society. I hope the publisher positions this author for some ESPN and NPR interviews before the Boston Marathon which is about the time that this book is coming out. I hope the publisher buys into the Falmouth road race mailing list to promote the title too.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like so many others I found the author's attitude dimmed my overall enjoyment of the book. As one of those slow, noncompetitive runners he so disdains, I disagree with the idea that mass participation has killed the sport. Long distance Running is never going to rise to the level of pro football or basketball because it simply isn't visually exciting. Those who are super competitive about running will be so whether the rest of us are there or not. People who don't run just don't care and I don't see that changing. Maybe the author forgets that whenever there's a boom - oil, gold, running - there's a bust.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great recap and remembrance.

This wonderful summary took me back to the early days of the American running boom. I am grateful to Cameron Stacher for this orderly and entertaining account of Bill Rodgers Frank shorter and Alberto Salazar, and all the excitement they generated. I was young when these events happened, but I remember them. It was fun to see them put in order, bringing the details into focus. I also appreciated how the author stretched beyond just chronicling these events and got into the hearts and minds of his principle characters. He risked unflattering portraits and complicated motives. My one critique would be I think it needs a longer conclusion. I think we need to hear more from the author about how the story turned out, and what became of the three runners. An update on Salazar would be timely as well.

[šimon betina · Rating 4 out of 5]

velmi pekná reklama na rýchle behanie, je tam cítiť lásku a nadšenie.
ale je zvláštne čítať o mladom albertovi salazarovi (a dokonca aj vychvaľovaní oregon projectu) v kontexte toho, ako dopadol len pár rokov po vydaní knihy - je až veľmi produktom svojej doby.

[Noah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fascinating subject—the 1970s running boom and the apogee of American distance-running prowess—let down by bleakly journalistic writing and a bare-bones structure.
Also, there was an unbalanced focus on Alberto Salazar, later turned out to be a Grade-A dirtbag as detailed in Kara Goucher’s book.

[Rui Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book the other night. Absolutely amazing writing from start to finish. Horribly sad the release coincided with the tragedy of the 2013 Boston Marathon, but I believe it will do well if enough readers give it positive reviews. Having run cross-country and long-distance track for a couple of years at Edison High School in Huntington Beach, CA, this book, Kings of the Road, spoke to me of the grace in victory and the agony of defeat.

I gave the ARC to my co-worker, Angelica, who runs the marathon here in Chicago, but then realized that I needed to ask for a copy from the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt rep after I saw a copy of the book at the bookstore.

Stracher is wonderful at contextualizing and presenting historical moments in riveting prose, in addition to giving the reader information about anatomy and physiology so necessary to know in terms of understanding injuries.

That said, I wish Stracher would write more on the American women's runners movement and the African runners' background & lifestyle.

But truly, this book is a winner from beginning to end and back again. I guess if you write about winners of road races in a compelling fashion you can't help but write a great book.

[Chalky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I must have, I finished it in a day.

As a youngish runner, who completed my first marathon in 1986 in NY, many of the runners names were familiar from the old ( well my young) days. The book was well written and clearly well researched.

I was tempted to give it a 5 but felt held back by two factors, the very abrupt ending to the volume ( it would have been great to have been bought up to date on Shorter, Rodgers and Salazar as well as some of the other characters). I was also puzzled by the authors seemingly negative views on the current state of long distance running in the USA. While he was right in saying how dominant African runners are, this seems more a testament to them, than an indictment on American running ... But he certainly knows more than me. It would also have been good to have a chapter, albeit not about the Kings, on the Queens too.

Anyway, a good and recommended read.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a history of the great American distance runners from 1972-1982. The author writes about how good Shorter, Rodgers, and Salazar were and their rise to become world class athletes. I would recommended this book to distance runners and those interested in sports history. I really enjoyed seeing the rivalry that developed and how these men in turn made each other better by striving to be the best themselves.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cameron Stracher's "Kings of the Road" is an absorbing look at the ascendency of Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, and Alberto Salazar as the U.S.'s top road runners in the late Seventies. Stracher is wise to organize his book around these three, who raced each other head-to-head on multiple occasions. In particular, Stracher's subplot about the organization and expansion of the Falmouth road race in Massachusetts, where the three runners battled each other, is a clever framework for "Kings of the Road." Aside from the fact that Shorter, Rodgers, and Salazar all raced there, Falmouth serves as a microcosm of the running boom itself. What began as a tiny spur-of-the-moment race grew exponentially until there were (and, I believe, still are) thousands of entrants. Stracher has a good eye for the gripping detail, and his accounts of the races themselves--Falmouth, Boston Marathon, NYC Marathon--are fun reads. At times the author seems to throw in some unnecessary filler material. I don't think a book about the Seventies running boom needs to include a history of race-walking or the earliest running races or the debate over barefoot running, for example, but for the most part Stracher sticks to the topic at hand. His portrait of "Boston Billy" Rodgers is the most flattering, his depictions of Shorter and Salazar less so, but this is consistent with other accounts I've read. Rodgers is friendly and affable while Shorter and Salazar are more reserved. Rodgers' story is also more compelling. He went from an unemployed cigarette smoking conscientious objector to multiple marathon champion. Stracher doesn't do a whole lot to prove his thesis that these three runners ushered in a running boom. As the author himself concedes, the boom may have been caused by other factors or even other runners such as Steve Prefontaine or Jim Fixx and his "Complete Guide to Running." Stracher's passions lie in his lovingly detailed accounts of the races. He's clearly a fan of high-level racing, far less a fan of the boom itself and its impact on races. He points to the slower overall times in today's events and the dearth of top-tier competitors. Personally I felt this was a somewhat tired (and elitist) argument. Stracher can bemoan this stuff on Letsrun.com, but I'd think he would want his book to embrace runners looking to learn more about the sport, not alienate them. I'm not exactly a plodder, but I respect anybody who gets off the couch and tries to run, no matter his or her pace. I think the argument can be made that we need more elite runners without denigrating back-of-the-pack runners in the process. Nevertheless, I applaud Stracher's passion for the topic. It infuses his book and makes "Kings of the Road" a great page-turner.

[Mary Pagones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tough book to review. On one hand, I'm glad I read it, and it gives an invaluable portrait of the running boom of the 70s and 80s, including the colorful race organizers and many non-marathons. On the other hand, it's entirely focused on men--even Joan Benoit Samuelson and Greta Waitz barely get name-checked--and the sport of running is lionized as something that must break down the body of the young male runner to truly achieve glory in the sport. The conclusion is laughably dated, with Alberto Salazar being portrayed as the greatest runner of them all, because of the extremes to which he pushed his body and his determination to make American runners at the top of the sport. (Of course, we know now he did it by cheating and sexually abused his female athletes, and drove many of them into eating disorders that broke down their bodies, versus actual running).

The author even decries Rogers' and Shorter's attempts to, you know, actually get PAID WHAT THEY WERE WORTH, saying this commercialized the sport and encouraged athletes from Africa to race because winning $50K was more life-changing for them than Americans.

The conclusion also has a lot of hand-wringing about people turning to running for fitness and physical improvement, versus being fast at any cost. But the thing is, people usually care more about the sports they do themselves. It's hard to believe that more people running is bad for the sport, and, honestly, very few people (even with training) can run sub-three hour marathons, at least after a certain age. I'm not a fast runner, but I certainly appreciate the achievements of Rogers and Samuelson because I do run much more.

Stratcher can write, and his prose is many cuts above many recent books on running I've read, but I feel he'd clearly rather women were cheering in the Wellesley "scream tunnel" and slower, older people like me were handing out cups of water rather than running races, and frankly, that doesn't sound like much fun to me. I celebrate African runners at the top who come from countries crushed by colonialism who are now doing something so positive for their nations and don't think my slower running cheapens anyone's achievements.

[David Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only the super competitive should bother?

The author seems to glorify the fathers of the running boom training and competing themselves into the ground.

What’s wrong with simply running for the fun of it and the sense of self accomplishment I get— not to mention the endorphins? .

I started at the age of 48. First a quarter marathon, then a half, and finally a full marathon. As an older runner, I was able to accomplish all of these (without serious injury) using Jeff Galloway’s run/walk/run system.

However... This author seems to say that all the people who walk during races and the super slow shouldn’t bother. In other words, if you’re not a Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, or Alberto Salazar type you should keep your slow “penguin “ butt on the couch.

I enjoyed the historical parts of the book, but as a disciple of Galloway take offense at the writer’s seeming dismissal of the average runner.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the book overall, with a few critiques. The book jumped through time quite a lot, back and forth. Would have preferred a more linear time line, as I’m trying to keep straight where each runner, and their girl friends etc, are in time. Small enough issue. The other critique is one it seems I share with other readers. The author is an holier than thou a*hole. His attitude towards runners who aren’t “elite,” and the terms he uses to describe them are despicable. The same runners he describes as celebrating waddling across finish lines are the reasons there are so many options for more serious runners when it comes to footwear, clothing, fuel, etc. The mass market talks, and companies make items that make them money. Fun runners aren’t killing running, any more than hobby cyclists kill elite racing etc. Left me with a bad taste in my mouth when I finished the book.

[Marie Armes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of research went into this book, which I appreciated. Fascinating to not only learn about the main inspirations but also about others who changed the game, running biomechanics, and the history of long-distance running, with excellent transitions into them. Although nonfiction, great story-telling that moved the story along! Showed the dedication, persistance, and heart that the runners put into the sport.
One downfall was that it was a little difficult to follow along with what year we were in as jumping between the three runners. I also thought it would also have been neat to have a litte bit more of an epilogue that focues on the three runners lives today.

[Terra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars feels generous for this book. The author did not hit a balance of covering each runner. How he told the story was heavily influenced by how he thinks the running community and sport should be structured. I think the additional point of a running boom was a mistake to add since he only covers it briefly throughout the book. Maybe I’m feeling tougher on this book as a runner and pace lead for those just getting into running, but as a reader I’ve also read better.

[Lee Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good read, especially if you are a runner. Three of the most influential runners and the events that made them are highlighted. One—Alberto Salazar—is still influencing the sport today through his coaching.

If you’re a runner this book is for you. It covers the time period just prior to the emergence of the Kenyan runners as a dominant force in running.

[Josh Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story of the three men at the heart of America's running boom. The timeline was sometimes difficult to follow, but the details of the races were gripping. I either didn't fully understand, or didn't appreciate the epilogue about how average people running somehow ruins running as a sport. Major League Baseball doesn't complain about church league softball games.

[Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read about Shorter, Rodgers, Salazar and running becoming more than an oddity. However like a number of reviews have noted the authors personal critiques diminish the book a bit. For me the epilogue alone was a head scratcher, and pretty much exemplified the authors view that if you aren’t running competitively stay off the road.

[Matthew Fitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book as a time capsule of the running boom of 1970's. Yet, he decides to take a shot at the recreational runner at the end which I think was misguided.
And the book just sort of ends after 1981. He does mention Salazar's participation in the "Oregon project" but neglects to mention the doping issues that have cast a pall over his legacy.

[Kris Lodwig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this book every week for a year while I shelved library books. Glad I read it. Interesting to read how Shorter, Rodgers, and Salazar pushed the pace in running, literally, and how me as a casual, social runner has actually made the average marathon time decline over the years 😅

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I was a very average long distance runner for about 10 years during the mid 1990s and early 2000s, and really enjoyed participating in some of the bigger marathons and half marathon races. Until reading this book, I was not that aware of the American long distance runners (Shorter, Rodgers and Salazar) and their successes in 1970s. This was the start of a running boom that continues to this day.

[Sarah Logan-Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick fun read for anyone who has athletic thoughts, this book is informative in an interesting way. No you don’t have to be a runner to enjoy it!

[Justin Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good to nerd out a bit. Really got me even more pumped for the Boston Marathon in a few weeks. Learned some stuff I didn’t know.

[Alia Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This should be required reading for all runners out there. I loved reading through the history of the boom and better understanding some of the modern road races that I now take part in.

[Nick Slenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-told recounting of the forefathers of American distance running's hey-day

[John Mignosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed.

[Liz DeLise · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a good history of the sport of running.

[Steve Chilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

The way the threads of three elite runners, and their rivalries, is brought together is gripping. Shorter, Rogers and Salazar may have made the running 'boom' but they were not alone. But it does highlight how the Americans were top of the pile for a while, which certainly hasn't been the case of late. The book also show vividly how the numbers at road races increased, sometimes to the detriment of the sport.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cameron Stracher doesn't like recreational runners. That's clear. Somehow they are to blame for America's fade from running dominance. But he doesn't explain how.

[Cinthia Ritchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, this is an informative read of American distance running that lends a nice view of Bill Rogers, Frank Shorter and Alberto Salazar (before his doping coach scandal, of course, though one has to wonder if he had indeed been doping then) dominating the racing scene.
And though I can tolerate that while women were also not only racing but knocking down age-old stereotypes as well, they were pretty much ignored in throughout the book, I had a harder time tolerating the last chapter, where Stracher's bias becomes blatantly apparent when bemoaning that as of the 2013 publication date, no American-born runner has won a major marathon or other major race (little did he realize that Meb Keflezighi would win Boston the following year). But he also insinuates that Meb’s accomplishments don't really count since he isn't "American-born” (he emigrated to the US when he was 13, though he later praises Leo Manzano, who also wasn’t born in the US, so I have no idea what’s up with that).
Regardless of what Stracher may have meant, and here I shall grant him the benefit of the doubt that he was hopefully not insinuating American-born to translate to white American male, there’s the Epilogue to contend with.
Oh, my, god, what can I say about the epilogue?
This is where Stracher states that running has been “dumbed” down due to the number of hobby and recreational runners. He also mentions that this slowing down can, in part, be attributed to the increased number of women racing.
He goes on to say that “Today it is common for finishers in a major race to not know—and not care—who won. What counts is the personal narrative of adversity and achievement. There are no heroes; there are only goody bags and fancy flavored water.”
And this is a bad thing? Shouldn’t someone writing about the history of distance running be overjoyed at its popularity? Shouldn’t someone who runs and hopefully loves running want as many people as possible to also love and enjoy the same?
Stracher also insults Jeff Galloway for having the audacity to implement his very popular run/walk method.
As I finished “Kings of the Road” I felt disheartened by Stracher’s apparent tunnel vision. How much richer this would have been had he simply embraced the running movement and given credit to all the runners who will never win a major race but nevertheless put in the miles, sweat and pain.
And since the readers of running books tend toward recreational runners, insulting them at the end of the book doesn’t seem the smartest of moves.

[Kyanne Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Kings of the Road" was an instant hit for me. It automatically intrigued me and then Stracher drew me in with his knowledge about running. There were, of course, parts of the book that were confusing. I had to reread a few sections because Stracher talked about so many runners and I couldn't remember who won this race, and lost that race. The names of the runners started running together. Besides the confusion of the runners the book was outstanding. I would definitely read this book again and recommend it to anyone who has questions about anything related to running.