“That’s shoe business! Bill Clinton wears two kinds of shoes for running: New Balance model 1500 athletic shoes, size 12EE, made in Maine with the words “Mr. President” stitched in them, retailing for about $160; and Asics GT-2 sneakers, which are made in Asia and retail for about $50. He gets both kinds of shoes as gifts from the manufacturers.” (via GWARIZM)

3.5 million years ago running wasn’t a leisure pursuit, it was a weapon. At our genesis, humans hunted by outrunning and outlasting prey, engaging in patient pursuits that could last days. Historic accounts tell of Tarahumara Indians chasing deer through the mountains of northern Mexico, waiting for the fatigued animals to collapse from exhaustion before throttling them by hand. Similarly, South African Bushmen still run down wildebeest and Zebra during the dry season, re-enacting scenes from the dawn of mankind.

In 1967, Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to run the Boston marathon. After realizing that a woman was running, race organizer Jock Semple went after Switzer shouting, “Get the hell out of my race and give me those numbers.” However, Switzer’s boyfriend and other male runners provided a protective shield during the entire marathon.The photographs taken of the incident made world headlines, and Kathrine later won the NYC marathon with a time of 3:07:29.

Prefontaine