Runners Gazette spent a few minutes with Jack Heath to talk about his book Browning Ross: The Father of American Distance Running.
Runners Gazette: How long did it take you to write Browning Ross?
Jack Heath: It took a little over five years. A lot of that time was research. I was working three jobs for much of that span. There were some weeks where I spent a lot of time on gathering information and interviews before I could write.
RG: You had a close relationship with Browning; did anything surprise you about Browning while working on the book?
JH: Three things. First, I was surprised at the number of races he won and the variety of distances. “Barefoot” Charlie Robbins, another national championship runner from the 1950 has called Browning the most versatile runner of all time. I can see why after seeing the results. He competed against a number of Olympic caliber athletes every race, which made the races, wins even more impressive. Olympians Curt Stone, Ted Vogel, Horace Ashenfelter, Gordon Mackenzie, Pete McArdle, Ted Corbitt, Alex Breckenridge, the Kelley’s, John Joe Barry etc. were in all these races so a second place finish might be a tremendous accomplishment. None of these runners ducked each other—the correspondence shows they would invite each other to races.
There are thousands of runners in the big races today but if you scan the top finishers, you don’t often see the same caliber of competition at the top except for races like Berwick. I think the high entry fees scare off many of the top college and high school runners who used to run road races.
Second, I was surprised by the number of races he put on single handedly. For as long as I knew him he put on weekly races but he also put on all-comers track meets, road races and cross-country races going back to the 1950’s.
The third thing that surprised me was what a pioneer he was for women’s running. He started the Road Runners Club of America of course which led to more running opportunities for women, but he was also suspended by the AAU for permitting women to run in races. He was also a life-long advocate for women runners through his race directing, coaching and the columns he wrote in the Long Distance Log and the Gloucester County Times newspapers.
RG: What was the most challenging part of the research for the book?
JH: I interviewed many people and some people never responded. A few others, like some of Browning’s teammates, and Sir Roger Bannister weren’t able to provide much information because of failing memories. Unfortunately I waited too long to contact them, but I was able to contact many of Browning’s peers among many others in trying to present a well-rounded look at Browning’s life.
RG: Can you give us an anecdote that you did not use in the book?
JH: Browning’s friend and Woodbury teammate, the Actor Roscoe Lee Browne, was filming a movie in the South and one of the local people remarked to him between takes that “he spoke good English.” Roscoe replied, “Thank you, it’s my mother tongue.” Of course, Roscoe was the top ranked 800 meter, 1000 yard runner in the world at one time and was renowned for his rich voice and diction.
RG: This April marked the 20th anniversary of Browning’s passing. What do you think would please Browning most about the state of American running today? Do you think there is anything about today’s running that might be a disappointment?
JH: Without a doubt, he would be thrilled with the tremendous increase in women’s participation. Nationally, women are the majority of road race participants. He would pooh-pooh, any credit but he deserves some of the credit for the dramatic evolution of women’s participation in running. I think he would also be thrilled with the explosion of youth running—especially middle school cross-country participation.
Since Browning wanted to see everyone run, I think he would be disappointed in the high race entry fees, and online race sign-ups for the top races that fill up in minutes.
RG: What do you think about Browning’s legacy?
JH: Browning’s legacy continues. I hope the book will help. I recently attended the South Jersey Track Hall of Fame of which Browning is a member. A handful of the inductees mentioned Browning in their talks this year, and mentioned how he helped give them their start. The seeds he planted continue to sprout!
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Browning Ross: Father of American Distance Running available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com
