One for the Books
A Review of Stephen Lane’s Long Run to Glory
by Scott F. Parker
Was the 1984 women’s race “the greatest marathon in Olympic history,” as Stephen Lane’s subtitle claims? I don’t know. There have been some great ones in history — without even mentioning Sifan Hassan’s 2024 win, which occurred after the publication of Long Run to Glory. But having read the book I am persuaded that Lane has reported the race, the first women’s Olympic marathon, with the greatest narrative intrigue.
If you’re a track fan you are likely familiar with the story’s major plot points: after almost a century of men’s marathoning at the Olympics, women were finally given the opportunity to race 26.2 miles; the race, held in Los Angeles, was won by Joan Benoit, an American; no uteruses were found to have fallen out on the racecourse (as had been feared).
What Lane contributes to the story is an impressive depth of reporting that contextualizes the race in terms of the history of women’s distance running, the women’s movement broadly, and the lives of its leading athletes. He demonstrates a wonderful sensitivity to his primary subjects — Grete Waitz, Rosa Mota, and Ingrid Kristiansen, as well as Benoit.
What’s more, he does so without sacrificing narrative momentum, some feat when you consider that the race results have been in for four decades. For an allegedly boring sport to watch, marathoning, in Lane’s hands, is riveting to read about. His play-by-play of the marathon is scrupulous and informed, his enthusiasm contagious. And when it comes time for the runners to make their moves and respond to one another (or not), Lane’s psychological and performance background has prepared the reader to appreciate the implications of their decisions.
Whether or not it was the greatest Olympic marathon, it was the most significant. And Lane has given us a book worthy of its subject. This is a short review but it could be shorter: if you like sports books, you’ll want to read this one.
Scott F. Parker is the author of Run for Your Life: A Manifesto and The Joy of Running qua Running, among other books. His writing has appeared in Runner’s World, Running Times, Tin House, Philosophy Now, The Believer, and other publications. He teaches at Montana State University and is the nonfiction editor for Kelson Books.