Boston Marathon: The First Century of the World's Premier Running Event

Take a fascinating look at the personalities and passions of the runners as well as the history and evolution of the Boston Marathon in this centennial race edition.

For Tom Derderian, this book is the culmination of a lifetime of experiences related to the Boston Marathon--from his earliest childhood days as a race spectator to his 14 runs highlighted by a then world-class 2:19:04 performance in 1975.

In the '60s, '70s, and '80s Tom Derderian raced and trained with the top runners of the Boston Marathon, counting many of them as close friends. He competed in the Olympic Trials in 1972 and 1976 and won many New England running titles. As a coach and member of the Greater Boston Track Club, North Medford Club, and Boston Athletic Association, he knows firsthand the personal costs involved in training for and competing in the Boston Marathon.

Tom is a former editor of New England Runner magazine and has been a regular contributor of articles to Running Times and Runner's World for more than 20 years. He also has coached runners at the high school and club levels, founded a running club, and directed road races and track meets. For many years he worked in research, design, and development for Nike and Reebok--he holds three U.S. patents for running shoes and apparel.

Tom is vice president of USA Track and Field--New England. He has provided race commentary for local radio station broadcasts of the Boston Marathon since 1988. He is also writing the scipt for a documentary film about the Boston Marathon.

Derderian is the head men’s and women’s cross-country and track-and-field coach at Salem State College.

He, his wife, Cynthia, and their two daughters live in Winthrop, Massachusetts. They are all regular competitors in local races.