What do you think?
Rate this book
Varsity Seven: An American Rift Valley
What football is to the South, distance running is to the Northwest. And in Spokane, Washington cross country running is king. Each fall thousands of elementary, middle, and high school students traverse the roads and trails, training and competing for their chance to win. Just as some of the greatest Kenyan runners in the world come from one small town, in an area called the Rift Valley, Spokane continues to supply some of America's greatest runners.
The Greater Spokane League (GSL) is comprised of 10 teams. Five of those high schools, half of the league, have competed at the coveted Nike Cross Nationals since the inaugural race in 2004. Since 1979 Spokane has sent male or female distance runners to 24 of the 38 Foot Locker National Championships: that is over 60% of the time one town has been represented on a National level.
There are over 266,000 male high school distance runners and 226,000 female high school runners comprising over 29,000 teams in the United States. The GSL is a statistical outlier in every respect.
What makes this small city a Rift Valley of American Distance Running? By delving into the history of the athletes, coaches, volunteers and families that have set this city apart the answer becomes clear. Varsity Seven is more than just a story of top teams and times. It is the journey of the Hawkins family. From 1993 to 2010 these seven children competed during one of the most competitive eras and in one of the most competitive leagues in the country.
The Greater Spokane League (GSL) is comprised of 10 teams. Five of those high schools, half of the league, have competed at the coveted Nike Cross Nationals since the inaugural race in 2004. Since 1979 Spokane has sent male or female distance runners to 24 of the 38 Foot Locker National Championships: that is over 60% of the time one town has been represented on a National level.
There are over 266,000 male high school distance runners and 226,000 female high school runners comprising over 29,000 teams in the United States. The GSL is a statistical outlier in every respect.
What makes this small city a Rift Valley of American Distance Running? By delving into the history of the athletes, coaches, volunteers and families that have set this city apart the answer becomes clear. Varsity Seven is more than just a story of top teams and times. It is the journey of the Hawkins family. From 1993 to 2010 these seven children competed during one of the most competitive eras and in one of the most competitive leagues in the country.
453 pages, Paperback
Published May 4, 2018
1 person is currently reading
28 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 16, 2018
I thoroughly loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone. As a former high school runner, competing under one of the coaches mentioned in the book over 46 years ago, I could easily relate to the various schools and races. But my biggest take-away, was seeing the impact a mentor, such as a coach or other adult can have on a young person’s life. The book is well written, and the writer has nicely captured the intensity of running; on both a personal achievement level, as well as from a competition standpoint. I thoroughly enjoyed the style and found the connections between so many people intriguing.
December 11, 2018
Where to begin? As I was reading this book I ran through several reviews in my mind that I would write. All of them seemed like total crap.
But as with every story, I should start at the beginning. I have a daughter. She runs Cross Country for an esteemed High School in our area. So by extension, I am involved and have enjoyed this experience so far.
She ran at the Mount SAC (San Antonio College) Cross Country Invitational this year. After her race, we hovered about several vendors and I was taken aback by this guy (Author of the aforementioned book Peter Hawkins)selling his book. Let me be clear, I have been to A LOT of these events and thusly seen A LOT of vendors peddling their various wares. Wares such as smoothies/running shoes/socks/etc. But to see a guy selling a book? HUH? I mean who sells a book at a cross country event? I felt it was a gutsy move. So as a voracious reader, I decided to get one sight unseen. And yes, I got mine autographed. Thank you, Peter.
Often as I was concluding the book that I was reading, I found myself snooping about this book and reading snippets. It was engaging. Doing this, I found myself wanting to put that book on hold and tear into Varsity Seven.
And when the time came, I could not put it down. I found myself comparing it to The Game by Ken Dryden. Basically, this is one fine piece of sports (or life) literature that should not be overlooked, even though Cross Country has a kind of non-mainstream vibe about it. Yet this book explains the the sport in a way that is easily understood.
Buy a copy and be inspired to run into the unknown.
But as with every story, I should start at the beginning. I have a daughter. She runs Cross Country for an esteemed High School in our area. So by extension, I am involved and have enjoyed this experience so far.
She ran at the Mount SAC (San Antonio College) Cross Country Invitational this year. After her race, we hovered about several vendors and I was taken aback by this guy (Author of the aforementioned book Peter Hawkins)selling his book. Let me be clear, I have been to A LOT of these events and thusly seen A LOT of vendors peddling their various wares. Wares such as smoothies/running shoes/socks/etc. But to see a guy selling a book? HUH? I mean who sells a book at a cross country event? I felt it was a gutsy move. So as a voracious reader, I decided to get one sight unseen. And yes, I got mine autographed. Thank you, Peter.
Often as I was concluding the book that I was reading, I found myself snooping about this book and reading snippets. It was engaging. Doing this, I found myself wanting to put that book on hold and tear into Varsity Seven.
And when the time came, I could not put it down. I found myself comparing it to The Game by Ken Dryden. Basically, this is one fine piece of sports (or life) literature that should not be overlooked, even though Cross Country has a kind of non-mainstream vibe about it. Yet this book explains the the sport in a way that is easily understood.
Buy a copy and be inspired to run into the unknown.
June 1, 2018
If you are high school/college aged cross county/track runner, this book is a must read. Or if you are an older runner just looking for some inspiration, I would highly recommend this book. So many great stories about some of the legends of the sport and one particularly impressive family. Great book about running and family!!!
December 13, 2018
Fascinating stories of the various coaches and athletes who helped create and sustain the Spokane distance dynasty.
May 23, 2018
One of the top books I have ever read.... should be a must read for high school kids everywhere! Moments of hope, laughter, tears, history and inspiration throughout the whole book. Great job Peter!!!
July 2, 2018
I loved this book!! As someone who got to witness the Spokane Rift Valley first hand, this book is a beautiful tribute to the legacy there. I would highly recommend it to runners and sports enthusiasts alike.
May 23, 2018
This book is reminiscent of The Boys in The Boat and carries with it the spirit of Unbroken. Both involved people of character, grit, and old school determination. Varsity Seven is filled with portraits of personality mixed with defining moments. These were real people making real choices that had profound impact on those that followed them.
This book is a testament to the idea that decisions have consequence that are far reaching. The lessons of this book can be applied universally to parenting, economics, team-building, community building, marriages, and yes even distance running. Part of the charm of this book is that the author has taken a simple subject, distance running, and made magic out of the minutia of putting one foot in front of the other.
There are over twenty vignettes within this book, showcasing the lives of people coming from one community and each persons story is intertwined yet unique. The author has done a masterful job interweaving human interest while explaining distance running to the novice as well as providing plenty nuggets for the running geeks out there. It is a story revolving around the idea of doing more with less time. He covered 50 plus years in less than 450 pages and when I was finished I felt I had just started. It was a great read that anyone and everyone should read.
This book is a testament to the idea that decisions have consequence that are far reaching. The lessons of this book can be applied universally to parenting, economics, team-building, community building, marriages, and yes even distance running. Part of the charm of this book is that the author has taken a simple subject, distance running, and made magic out of the minutia of putting one foot in front of the other.
There are over twenty vignettes within this book, showcasing the lives of people coming from one community and each persons story is intertwined yet unique. The author has done a masterful job interweaving human interest while explaining distance running to the novice as well as providing plenty nuggets for the running geeks out there. It is a story revolving around the idea of doing more with less time. He covered 50 plus years in less than 450 pages and when I was finished I felt I had just started. It was a great read that anyone and everyone should read.
July 30, 2021
As I progressed through the stories in the biographies of part one, I basked in the vast amount of effort and time the author must have spent in interviewing and compiling each story, each race, each effort. At the same moment as my enrapture, I also knew that part one was needed to truly appreciate part two. I really wanted to jump ahead to part two.
Part one had me wanting to be part of the Spokane running community, while part two had me wanting to be part of the author's family. Each story of his parents, siblings, Tyler Byers, Sylvia Quinn, and himself, is beautiful. He brings honor and reverence to the narrative as he captured pivotal moments in the trajectory of their lives. I was inspired by older brother Isaac’s determined pursuit of championships. Crestfallen at the pressure the author and his siblings heaped upon themselves thereafter. Shocked at his honesty in voicing his desire to quit. Heartbroken and resolved as he recounted Tom’s life and final poem.
I learned more about the runner's mindset from this book than any other I've read.
Part one had me wanting to be part of the Spokane running community, while part two had me wanting to be part of the author's family. Each story of his parents, siblings, Tyler Byers, Sylvia Quinn, and himself, is beautiful. He brings honor and reverence to the narrative as he captured pivotal moments in the trajectory of their lives. I was inspired by older brother Isaac’s determined pursuit of championships. Crestfallen at the pressure the author and his siblings heaped upon themselves thereafter. Shocked at his honesty in voicing his desire to quit. Heartbroken and resolved as he recounted Tom’s life and final poem.
I learned more about the runner's mindset from this book than any other I've read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2020
i'm sorry! i really wanted to love this book! something about the writing style was just unbearable and i barely got through twenty pages before throwing in the towel
April 30, 2020
Badly written and edited story of some of Spokane's best coaches and athletes.
October 27, 2020
This is really two books. One is a history of elite running ties to Spokane. The other is a Spokane family memoir of running.
February 6, 2024
I will always have a special place in my heart for running books, and this one especially as it took place locally.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews