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The River Road: Becoming a Runner in 1972 Paperback – May 23, 2016

by Dennis Barker (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 57 ratings
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THE RIVER ROAD is an evocative novel of becoming a runner in 1972. Filled with compelling stories of runners, running, history, the 1972 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials and the Munich Olympics, it brings to life an era in which the U.S. competed for gold in nearly every distance running event. As many of the sport’s icons dominate their events in Eugene and prepare for Munich, fifteen-year-old Lenny prepares for his first season of varsity cross country. Inspired by Jim Ryun, Frank Shorter and Steve Prefontaine, Lenny also learns that Olympic distance runners have come from Minnesota and trained on the same River Road on which he runs. A world of running lore that he never knew existed is opened to him and helps him begin to explore and realize his own ability to run.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    292 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    May 23, 2016
  4. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.73 x 8 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1533191883
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1533191885
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The River Road is an evocative novel about becoming a runner at the start of the original running boom. Set in 1972, Barker, who would go on to become a top U.S. running coach, weaves together hints of his own running journey with the American running success of that summer and a bit of the social change happening in the world at the time. A classic coming-of-age story, it's a compelling read that will appeal to longtime runners, fans of the sport and anyone who appreciates how running can change a life forever." - Competitor Magazine

"You've read all the books about fictional Olympic heroes, high school four-minute milers, and marathoners who have succeeded against all odds. Now read something real - something more like your own running experience. Dennis Barker's The River Road explores - hill workoutby long run by conference cross country meet - how running can add insight, character, growth and self-knowledge to a teenager's life." - Amby Burfoot, Runner's World Editor-At-Large & 1968 Boston Marathon Champion

"Dennis Barker's The River Road is one of the finest coming-of-age stories I have read. Lenny, a young distance runner, evolves from the uncertainty of adolescence into young adulthood before us. Evoking memories of a simpler time where hopes and dreams lived in anonymity, The River Road is both Cormac McCarthy and Jon Krakauer - beautifully descriptive with characters we all possess within us. Barker's novel should be on every nightstand." - Pete Rea, ZAP Fitness

"The River Road is not just a colorful and nostalgic tale of the sport in the 1960s and 70s, but more importantly, it is a clear and accurate portrayal of every runner's own realization of the value of the sport - development of self, self-confidence and personal growth through individual achievement. It defines why we love running and why we believe that running changes lives, regardless of the age one takes it up." - Scott Simmons, Coach of the American Distance Project

"I thoroughly enjoyed reading The River Road! Coach Barker captures the true spirit of cross country in his narrative.I was transported back in time to my own high school days and the joy of discovering distance running for the first time. This story of becoming a runner, coupled with great historical anecdotes of running (and chess) legends made me nostalgic. If you are looking for a tail of friendship, awakening and achievement, or simply the inspiration to lace up your own running shoes, then take a trip down The River Road." - Tim Ritchie, 2017 U.S. Marathon Champion

About the Author

Dennis Barker was an All-State cross country and track runner for St. James High School in Minnesota. He was a NJCAA All-American in cross country and track for Golden Valley Lutheran College and ran cross country and track for Iowa State University. He has coached All-State runners at the high school level, NCAA All-Americans at the college level, and an Olympian at the professional level of the sport.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (May 23, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 292 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1533191883
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1533191885
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.73 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 57 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
57 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Jesse Schoen
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely loved this running novel!
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2019
Verified Purchase
Favorite running novel I have read in years. I enjoyed the relationships with Tom and Lawrence and the examples they presented in how to treat people. I loved the lessons weaved in through watching the 1972 Olympics and reading about Bobby Fischer updates and how they related to running and life. There are many important underlying issues - effect of the Cold War on society, significance of the older/younger brother relationship, women in sport, giving second chances and restoration - that were explored through the thoughts of Lenny while he was becoming a runner during this time. As someone that found running as a scrawny high schooler in Minnesota, this book felt like it was designed for me to read. The descriptions of the cross country team dynamic, interactions, traditions, and training were spot on. Learning more about Minnesota running legends was just a bonus feature of the book.
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paul w mausling
5.0 out of 5 stars Minnesota running
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2017
Verified Purchase
This is a great book, Dennis real caught the events of 1972. I started running in 1972 and eventually went to Macalester College and I have run many miles along the river road and the lakes with Ron Dawes, Steve Hoag, Mike Slack, Big B, Gary and our cross country team, those runs are some of the nicest places I have ever run. Dennis also captured the feeling of being a part of a team that worked together and the ability to pull each other to achieve more then an individual could do on their own. This was a great book not only about running but about friendships and history of those times. If you ever get to Minnesota these runs are a must do. Enjoy the book
4 people found this helpful
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Paul Carter
5.0 out of 5 stars Those who first developed an interest in running during this era will especially enjoy it. It would be good to have somehow ...
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2016
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This describes the path many take to an interest in running, finding more skill and fulfillment in this pursuit with the contrasting coaching and training techniques that work for cross country compared to the major sports. Those who first developed an interest in running during this era will especially enjoy it...but it would be good to find a way to expose this book to current and future junior high and high school cross country athletes as well. It would be interesting to have somehow acknowledged the role that faith played in dealing with the struggles of unrealized expectations of these 1970s athletes. Jim Ryun's story on how he dealt with this is a good example of this.
4 people found this helpful
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Robert B Schoenberg
4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good, as a runner of many years myself and ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2017
Verified Purchase
Very Good , as a runner of many years myself and fairly competitive for some years I really enjoyed the story. It would be interesting to hear comments from someone who has not been a competitive runner to see how it works for them.
2 people found this helpful
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Lola
5.0 out of 5 stars I thoroughly enjoyed this book - so much so
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2016
Verified Purchase
I thoroughly enjoyed this book - so much so, that I kept sneaking away from my family during a camping trip so that I could read more! Barker captures the exhilaration and anxiety that comes with finding your passion in life, wanting to do well and wanting to fit in. Len's world is running, but the lessons easily apply to all areas of life. Running nerds will love learning about Minnesota's storied running history, as well as the descriptions of the grueling cross country workouts and races that the protagonist conquered. (I received a bit of racing advice myself from the book!) I highly recommend this book.
3 people found this helpful
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Brendan Martin
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2016
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Would be great for a young aspiring HS runner.
One person found this helpful
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Rowan Greene
5.0 out of 5 stars Poignant coming of age story
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2019
Verified Purchase
A wonderful "coming of age" story about a young runner at a time before the running craze hit the US. It's hard to imagine a time when streets, trails and rural roads weren't covered with runners either training for competition, races or just hoping to improve their health.
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Jeffrey T. Kirchner
5.0 out of 5 stars A thoroughly enjoyable read - a must for the baby-boomer runner
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2016
Verified Purchase
This was much better than I expected - a really enjoyable read, especially for those of us old enough to remember
the 1972 Olympics - ironically I was not a runner then and remember much more the gymnastics and basketball (US vs USSR) game that Barker writes about and weaves in to the plot of this book - bought it for my kindle but now plan to purchase a "real" copy for my running library.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

ruth smith
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in Canada on April 7, 2017
Verified Purchase
The perfect book for anyone who started running in that era, 70's
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