B.A.A To Publish Commemorative Boston Marathon Book
It will be available in December.
It will be available in December.
From: Running USA
BOSTON – – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.), best known as organizer of the Boston Marathon, has announced that a special commemorative book to celebrate its 125th anniversary will be published in 2012.
Titled B.A.A: 125, this illustrated history will be published by Skyhorse Publishing and will feature a preface by Boston native and sports enthusiast Matt Damon. The book will be written by John Hanc, a long-time writer for Newsday, a contributing editor to Runner’s World magazine and author of ten books, including his award-winning memoir on running the 2005 Antarctica Marathon, The Coolest Race on Earth. (Chicago Review Press). Also, the book will feature 100 rare and historic photos, most of them from the B.A.A.’s archives.
According to B.A.A. Executive Director Tom Grilk, “In this book, we will show that the story and significance of the Boston Athletic Association is broader than simply the Boston Marathon.”
“The B.A.A. has a fascinating history that goes way beyond the Boston Marathon,” Hanc agrees. “I’m amazed at some of the stories we’ve uncovered about the club’s founders and the scope of its activities, particularly in its early years.”
Founded in 1887, and best known for its signature event, the 115-year-old Boston Marathon, the B.A.A. fielded teams in many sports in its early years, including football, baseball, hockey and water polo, as well as track & field, where athletes wearing the club’s distinctive unicorn logo made history: eight of the 14 athletes on the U.S. Olympic team that participated in Athens in 1896 were B.A.A. members.
“We are especially proud to be publishing this landmark book,” said Jay Cassell, Editorial Director of Skyhorse Publishing. “You don’t have to be a runner, or a Bostonian, to appreciate the many fine things the B.A.A. has done for sports, health, and fitness in this country. This is truly a book for everyone.”
The B.A.A. also announced that it will distribute a limited number of copies of the book to libraries in Massachusetts, particularly those in communities along the Boston Marathon course. B.A.A. 125 will be sold at the April 2013 John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo during Boston Marathon weekend.
B.A.A 125, published by Skyhorse Publishing will be available in December 2012. For more information on the B.A.A., go to:www.baa.org