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Frontmatter
title: Hal Turns 95, Celebrating a Lifetime That Helped Millions Go the Distance
date: 2026-06-15
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June 17, 2026
## Hal Higdon Turns 95, Celebrating a Lifetime That Helped Millions Go the Distance
Running icon, bestselling author, and legendary coach marks a milestone birthday as runners worldwide share their stories through #MyFirstMile.
**LONG BEACH, Indiana & PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida** — Hal Higdon, among the most prolific running writers and training coaches ever, turns 95 today. Over the course of his remarkable life, Higdon has helped millions of runners—from first-time 5K participants to elite marathon finishers—achieve their goals through his approachable, time-tested, and human-centric training programs featured on [{site-domain}](/) and the [Run with Hal app](https://www.runwithhal.com).
To celebrate Higdon's 95th birthday, runners around the world have started sharing their personal running journeys and how Hal has made a difference in their lives. Participants are encouraged to post their stories using the hashtag **#MyFirstMile**, creating a global tribute to the coach, author, and mentor.
The Higdon running community can be found on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/higdonmarathon), [X](https://x.com/higdonmarathon), and [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/higdonmarathon?__cft__[0]=AZYthI-59d0DE5ILn6cfP02EvgGJk1AI9PJ7jJ-1qtzHe6bdL3WyQaE-hHtqSEZeZgVkmf9jRYLJx_Ly062ePCLoADdfebBBoksjz9qk0e0xPWvvOm0VthZRTwopGX0TjwM&__tn__=-]K-R), where these stories will be shared throughout the celebration.
“Hal is special because he envisioned how running would become a movement, and that included women. Hal was one of the first world-class male friends I made in running; eventually, he and his wife Rose even created a travel business for women on the Avon global women's running circuit. I have long admired his vision and creative ambition, but it was his ability to write about running, often with an acerbic wit that made you laugh out loud, that was especially endearing.”
— Kathrine Switzer, runner, author, and activist - first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967
A native of Chicago who now lives in Indiana and Florida, Higdon began running competitively in 1947 and went on to compete in eight U.S. Olympic Trials. He ran his first Boston Marathon in 1959 and, in 1964, finished fifth overall as the top American, posting a personal best time of 2:21:55.
“Hal Higdon embodies the spirit of the Boston Marathon in many ways: as a runner, historian, author, coach, and supporter. His stewardship and guidance have had an impact on thousands, and his spot in Boston lore is only further solidified as a top American finisher on Patriots’ Day.
I've had the pleasure of working with Hal as he chronicled Boston Marathon history, and they are times I've truly cherished. The B.A.A. and running community thanks you, Hal, and from all of us here in Boston wish you the very best 95th birthday.”
— Jack Fleming, President & CEO, Boston Athletic Association
Higdon’s success extended from Boston into his Masters (age 40-plus) years, where he became a World Champion and set numerous world and American records that stood for decades. His American Masters record of 14:59.6 for 5,000 meters, set running barefoot at London's Crystal Palace in 1972, lasted nearly 25 years.
"If Frank Shorter’s gold medal in the Munich \[1972 Olympics\] created the running boom, Hal Higdon perfected it. Marathoners have been using his tried and true methods for training for their first 26.2 and their best 26.2 for decades.
Hal, as you celebrate 95 years, thank you for all the celebrating at the finish lines that you’ve made possible with your training programs that continue each and every weekend at marathons around the world. Congratulations, happy birthday, and keep going, Hal.”
— Max Siegel, CEO of USA Track & Field
Higdon has run a total of 111 marathons, including seven over the course of seven months leading into his 70th birthday.
Beyond racing, Higdon has built a legendary career as a writer, contributing to publications including Runner’s World, The New York Times Magazine, and National Geographic, and authoring more than three dozen books, including _On the Run from Dogs & People_ and _Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide_, now in its fifth edition. One of the founders in 1958 of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA), Higdon received that organization's Journalism Award in 1980 and was later named to the RRCA Hall of Fame.
“Hal Higdon was there at the beginning of marathon running in the United States, and likewise at the beginning of marathon guides and books. No one understands more about the ups and downs of marathon training, and how to prepare recreational runners for the ultimate running goal. His advice is wise, consistent, experience-based, and proven to succeed. There's no better marathon coach than Hal Higdon.”
— Amby Burfoot, 1968 Boston Marathon Champion and former Editor-in-Chief of Runner’s World
“Hal Higdon the writer invented the anecdotal running essay, and the idea that the aspirations of a runner of less than supreme ability are worth describing. From his initial ground-breaking contributions to Distance Running News (later renamed Runner's World) in 1966, through his visionary Brooks Masters Series in the 1980s, to Run With Hal and Higdon running in 2026, Hal has been an important innovator, a vivid chronicler, and an admired mentor.”
— Roger Robinson, author of _Running in Literature_ and _When Running Made History_
Today, Higdon’s running business extends beyond just Hal himself. All three of his children (Kevin, David, and Laura) work on the family business, which includes the {site-domain} website and the Run with Hal app, while his nine grandchildren also support the business in various ways.
The Higdon family running business now reaches more than 2.5 million runners annually, continuing to guide runners of all levels.
“Running has always been about more than your finishing time. It’s about discovering what you’re capable of, one step at a time, and engaging with others who also are enjoying their own running journeys.
In my case, a personal passion for running, racing, and coaching others has evolved into a family business where we all stayed connected through the Higdon running experience. To all my friends, followers, and fellow running lovers, I thank you for the birthday wishes and look forward to celebrating more birthdays with you all ahead. Stride on!”
— Hal Higdon
Runner, coach, author, and founder of {site-domain}
### Media Contact
David Higdon
[[email removed]](mailto:[email removed])
+1.704.390.3802
Rendered
June 17, 2026
Hal Higdon Turns 95, Celebrating a Lifetime That Helped Millions Go the Distance
Running icon, bestselling author, and legendary coach marks a milestone birthday as runners worldwide share their stories through #MyFirstMile.
LONG BEACH, Indiana & PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida — Hal Higdon, among the most prolific running writers and training coaches ever, turns 95 today. Over the course of his remarkable life, Higdon has helped millions of runners—from first-time 5K participants to elite marathon finishers—achieve their goals through his approachable, time-tested, and human-centric training programs featured on {site-domain} and the Run with Hal app.
To celebrate Higdon’s 95th birthday, runners around the world have started sharing their personal running journeys and how Hal has made a difference in their lives. Participants are encouraged to post their stories using the hashtag #MyFirstMile, creating a global tribute to the coach, author, and mentor.
The Higdon running community can be found on Instagram, X, and Facebook, where these stories will be shared throughout the celebration.
“Hal is special because he envisioned how running would become a movement, and that included women. Hal was one of the first world-class male friends I made in running; eventually, he and his wife Rose even created a travel business for women on the Avon global women’s running circuit. I have long admired his vision and creative ambition, but it was his ability to write about running, often with an acerbic wit that made you laugh out loud, that was especially endearing.”
— Kathrine Switzer, runner, author, and activist - first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967
A native of Chicago who now lives in Indiana and Florida, Higdon began running competitively in 1947 and went on to compete in eight U.S. Olympic Trials. He ran his first Boston Marathon in 1959 and, in 1964, finished fifth overall as the top American, posting a personal best time of 2:21:55.
“Hal Higdon embodies the spirit of the Boston Marathon in many ways: as a runner, historian, author, coach, and supporter. His stewardship and guidance have had an impact on thousands, and his spot in Boston lore is only further solidified as a top American finisher on Patriots’ Day.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Hal as he chronicled Boston Marathon history, and they are times I’ve truly cherished. The B.A.A. and running community thanks you, Hal, and from all of us here in Boston wish you the very best 95th birthday.”
— Jack Fleming, President & CEO, Boston Athletic Association
Higdon’s success extended from Boston into his Masters (age 40-plus) years, where he became a World Champion and set numerous world and American records that stood for decades. His American Masters record of 14:59.6 for 5,000 meters, set running barefoot at London’s Crystal Palace in 1972, lasted nearly 25 years.
“If Frank Shorter’s gold medal in the Munich [1972 Olympics] created the running boom, Hal Higdon perfected it. Marathoners have been using his tried and true methods for training for their first 26.2 and their best 26.2 for decades.
Hal, as you celebrate 95 years, thank you for all the celebrating at the finish lines that you’ve made possible with your training programs that continue each and every weekend at marathons around the world. Congratulations, happy birthday, and keep going, Hal.”
— Max Siegel, CEO of USA Track & Field
Higdon has run a total of 111 marathons, including seven over the course of seven months leading into his 70th birthday.
Beyond racing, Higdon has built a legendary career as a writer, contributing to publications including Runner’s World, The New York Times Magazine, and National Geographic, and authoring more than three dozen books, including On the Run from Dogs & People and Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide, now in its fifth edition. One of the founders in 1958 of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA), Higdon received that organization’s Journalism Award in 1980 and was later named to the RRCA Hall of Fame.
“Hal Higdon was there at the beginning of marathon running in the United States, and likewise at the beginning of marathon guides and books. No one understands more about the ups and downs of marathon training, and how to prepare recreational runners for the ultimate running goal. His advice is wise, consistent, experience-based, and proven to succeed. There’s no better marathon coach than Hal Higdon.”
— Amby Burfoot, 1968 Boston Marathon Champion and former Editor-in-Chief of Runner’s World
“Hal Higdon the writer invented the anecdotal running essay, and the idea that the aspirations of a runner of less than supreme ability are worth describing. From his initial ground-breaking contributions to Distance Running News (later renamed Runner’s World) in 1966, through his visionary Brooks Masters Series in the 1980s, to Run With Hal and Higdon running in 2026, Hal has been an important innovator, a vivid chronicler, and an admired mentor.”
— Roger Robinson, author of Running in Literature and When Running Made History
Today, Higdon’s running business extends beyond just Hal himself. All three of his children (Kevin, David, and Laura) work on the family business, which includes the {site-domain} website and the Run with Hal app, while his nine grandchildren also support the business in various ways.
The Higdon family running business now reaches more than 2.5 million runners annually, continuing to guide runners of all levels.
“Running has always been about more than your finishing time. It’s about discovering what you’re capable of, one step at a time, and engaging with others who also are enjoying their own running journeys.
In my case, a personal passion for running, racing, and coaching others has evolved into a family business where we all stayed connected through the Higdon running experience. To all my friends, followers, and fellow running lovers, I thank you for the birthday wishes and look forward to celebrating more birthdays with you all ahead. Stride on!”
— Hal Higdon
Runner, coach, author, and founder of {site-domain}
Media Contact
David Higdon
[[email removed]](mailto:[email removed])
+1.704.390.3802
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