Distances

Accustomed to a life reshaped over the years on diminishing expectations, distance runner, Mark D'Avolio, is a man who exists in a world of fact and fantasy. Taking an uncharacteristic risk, Mark establishes a considerable lead in a marathon. A win would be a gratifying realization of a dream and would offer a personal, albeit fleeting, moment of redemption. It could also result in a disillusioning, painful loss. In his life, as in the race, Mark is in a state of limbo, heading for a potential crash. His illicit, sexual involvement with attractive and seductive Ann has the reader wondering what else he is prepared to win or lose, and what damage he is prepared to incur.

Born in 1945 in Hamilton, Ontario, Gary Ranalli received his Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from McMaster University. He began teaching Modern Languages in Hamilton but after the first year of his career, moved to Oshawa in Durham Region adjacent to Toronto. There he served as teacher, ethnocultural equity consultant and eventually high school vice-principal. In his late twenties he took up running and in the ensuing years competed in numerous distance races including, among others, marathons in Boston, Chicago, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Washington. He has two children, David and Sarah and four grandchildren. Retired in 2003, Gary continues to run daily and to live in Oshawa with his wife Pat and their four cats.