Browning Ross was a High School National Champion Miler. He served in the Navy and then became an NCAA Champion at Villanova University. Browning was a 2 time Olympian, a gold medal winner at the Pan Am Games and an 8 time National Champion runner. Then his contributions to American distance running really started. He founded the Road Runners Club of America which led to the running boom in the 1970's. He started the first national running magazine, the Long Distance Log and he directed thousands of races.He also coached the US International Cross-Country team and was a successful high school and college coach. He overcame resistance in his attempt to change running for the better. His efforts provided more opportunities for all runners that are enjoyed today.He did it all with a humility and sense of humor that make for a fascinating true story. Editorial reviews for "Browning Ross: The Father of American Distance Running:" "Browning Ross was a Woodbury, NJ native, a Villanova University star, two-time Olympian, Pan Am Games champion, tireless competitor, ground-breaking publisher, and indefatigable meet director whose life-long contributions to the sports of track and cross-country nearly defy measurement. Browning Ross: The Father of American Distance Running , is a meticulously researched and richly sourced ode to Author Jack Heath's coach, friend, and inspiration Browning Ross." Philadelphia Inquirer "Jack Heath has written the definitive book that chronicles the vast achievements of two-time Olympian Browning Ross . The well-written and thoroughly documented 343-page book is filled with anecdotes of Ross' long and fruitful career. Heath's excellent book does him justice." South Jersey Times/NJ.com "Jack Heath shows it was Ross's accomplishments off the track that make him notable and worth resurrecting in our collective memory: He founded the Road Runners Club of America, helped launch the 1970s running craze, became a prolific race director, and started the first national running magazine, the Long Distance Log . If you ever fall into the "one person can't make a difference" rut, Heath's portrayal of Browning Ross will pull you right out. One of the best running books of 2017." Runners World Magazine "Today's runners owe Browning Ross their thanks for his pioneering work before there was any glory or money in promoting our sport. Jack Heath pays the debt we runners owe to Browning Ross for himself and for all of us with "Browning Ross: Father of American Distance Running." That title is no exaggeration." Joe Henderson Longtime Running Writer "This book is a treasure." Runners Gazette "An historical look at an integral figure in the sport." New England Runner "One of the most inspirational books for runners." Runners World, 2018 "Heath backs up his claims of Ross's influence and impact with solid, consistent facts, facts which are also verified from other illustrious sources in the book." RunBlogRun "This is a great book." Running Journal "Browning Ross was a remarkable figure both on and off the track. You might want to read this book when you need some extra encouragement." 10 Books Every Passionate Runner Should Read and Remember "I would highly recommend adding "Browning Ross: Father of American Distance Running" to your running library. The book will give the reader an interesting insight into the early days of competitive running and the beginning of the running boom." Run Ohio Magazine "Jack Heath's book paints a picture of Browning Ross who helped launch the mid-to late-20th century running craze; helping to popularize and democratize a sport that had been largely off-limits to women, children and older athletes." Rutgers Magazine Reader comments on "Browning Ross: The Father of American Distance Running:" "An extraordinary book." "An immensely enjoyable read." "An amazing account of Browning Ross and his life of accomplishments." "An exciting story that involves the pantheon of American distance runners from the 1940's to the present." "Browning's humor, modesty, huge contribution to running, and the way he touched those he interacted with is especially accentuated in the author's personal experiences." "The authentic story of Browning Ross, a humble man who accomplished great things. His story would make a great movie." "In golf, the USGA has a book of the year award...there should be a similar award for this book within the running community." Jack Heath has written for Runners Gazette, American Runner, Running Times, the Catholic Star Herald, and the Gloucester County Times. He has been a coach for over 30 years and presently works in the Information Technology field. He has an MBA from Rutgers University and is a Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt in Process Improvement. He has been a runner for over 40 years and is a member of the Rowan University Athletic Hall of Fame. He is a married father of three. Jack ran for Browning Ross and coached with him for 18 years.