While there may have been earlier magazines about running, Runner's World magazine founder Bob Anderson was the man who truly helped make running big time...

Bob Anderson was a pretty good high school runner in his day.  He dropped out of college to grow his running magazine. His cohort in this adventure was none other than Joe Henderson, who had been writing for Track & Field News at the time. 

I started reading Runner's World in 1973, and began working there in the summer of 1982. By this time, Runner's World was in it's first heyday. The magazine had grown from several thousand subscribers to nearly 400,000 by 1982."

Bob, thanks for everything.  You gave me my start.  Not a day goes by that I don't think about you and how kind we were to me.  (Interview by Larry Eder)  

1. How did you get started running?  I started running in 1962 when I was 14.  My older brother Bill was on the track team and I gave running a try.  I loved it from the start.  By March I was able to run eight miles and in May I ran my first race...600 yards in 1:39.  I wrote down everything.  Ran the 880 at the AAU Junior Olympics June 9, 1962 and finished 4th but was not given a time.  The next year I trained harder and place 1st in 2:08.5.  Running was already the most important thing in my life. 

2. How was high school?  I did not like school.  Taking tests was never my thing and my grades were barely passing.  However, I loved to run.  My Coach, coach McGuire taught me how to push the limits.  We did workouts like eight sets of six quarters averaging 72 seconds.  I liked cross-country the most.  In my senior year I placed third in our Kansas regional meet on a hilly course.  My time for two miles was 10:14 which my coach estimated was 25 seconds slower than if we were running on a cinder track. 

In track I ran a 4:41 mile.  Back in those days that was the longest we could run.  When school was out in 1965 I ran three miles on the track at an AAU meet in Overland Park, Kansas.  I ran 16:28.  There were no road races in Kansas in those days.  But I was already dreaming of running a marathon but didn't know what I should do.  My coach could not help me.  I found a publication called Track & Field News.  There I learned about Browning Ross's Long Distance Log.  I subscribed to both and read every word many times over.

3. How was college running?  I was one of our top runners in high school but in college everyone on the team was a star.  I never fit in and dropped off the team.  Our coach at Kansas State only paid attention to his stars.  We never clicked.  But I had already started Distance Running News and it was taking up a lot of time.  My own running was already suffering.  However, in 1968 I ran my best race on an indoor track...at the Kansas State Indoor Invitational I ran a 9:58 two mile.

4. How did you get the idea for Runner's World?  In high school I was already writing runners around the country.  I got addresses from Browning Ross.  I sent out a letter that said I was 17 and I wanted to run a marathon but I didn't know how to train.  I got back responses from people like Ted Corbitt, Arne Richards and others.  They gave me more names and addresses.  I then started something I called the Marathon Statistic Bureau and started keeping track of marathon times.  I was getting tons of information.  It was so exciting getting mail from runners and coaches around the world. 

Then on a bus to a cross-country meet my senior year (October 1965 - we were headed to Wichita and running against Jim Ryan) I told a running mate that I was going to start a magazine about running.  I would call it Distance Running News (later to be renamed to Runner's World).   My mate thought I was joking.  "How could a high school senior start a magazine," he said.  I published two issues in 1966.  The subscription price was $1.00 per year.

Photo: Second issue of Distance Running News (July, 1966).  1000 copies were printed.

5. Who was the original staff?  I was the editor and my best  friend and high school running mate Dave Zimmerman was my circulation manager.  Arne Richards was my Editorial Board Chairman.  But I did most of the work.

6. How did you finance it early on?  I started out with $100 I had earned from babysitting and mowing lawns.  The first issue was printed on seven 8 1/2 times 11 inches sheets of paper.  I folded them in half, put two staples in them to have a 28 page magazine.  Runners starting sending in their subscription and some people like Tom Osler and others sent in another $5.00 to help me out.  I took in just over $700 my first year which covered all my costs.  I never had to put in additional money nor did I borrow any money from anyone to grow the business to $25 million.

7. Did you get help from Track and Field News?  In early 1969 I came out to Los Altos, California to meet with Joe Henderson.  Joe had been writing for me and I wanted to hire him as our editor.   Joe was working for Track and Field News.  He set up a meeting with the publisher Bert Nelson.  I needed to reach more runners.  A major break  for Distance Running News was when Bert Nelson agreed to rent his mailing list to me.  I had already started selling books and stop watches.  I did a mailing to their 10,000 subscribers in the fall of 1969.  I asked people to subscribe and to buy books and stop watches.  I had just enough money for the mailing.  The response was amazing.  I had more business than I could handle. 

8. When did you move to California?  Joe Henderson accepted the job as editor but encouraged me to join him in California.  I had dropped out of college without the blessing from my family.   I knew this was the right move.  I packed everything into a ten foot truck and hit the road the day after Christmas 1969.  I liked living in Manhattan, Kansas but moving to Los Altos, California just felt right.  I have never looked back.   

9. How did Shoe review evolve?  Jeff Johnson was working for Blue Ribbon Sports and also taking some amazing running photos.  He asked if I wanted to publish an article about running shoes.  This was April, 1967.  The 17 page article in Distance Running News was very well received.  Four brands were covered...adidas, New Balance, Tiger and Puma.  The "best" training shoe with 16 points was the Tiger Road Runner and the "Best" Racing shoe was the Tiger Marathon.  Even through Jeff was the writer I believed what he was saying.  At the time these were the best shoes for distance runners.  I was willing to put it in print.

10. Tell us about running circa 1970?  Running back in 1970 was so different than it is now.  Most people just did not understand why people ran.  There were very few road races in most of the country but there were cluster of runners like in California.  Also, there just was not a lot of information about running.  This is why runners enjoyed Runner's World so much.  We were providing the information they desired.  Then in 1972 things really changed.  At the 1972 Olympic Games Frank Shorter won the Gold Medal and finished more than two minutes ahead in the marathon.  This brought so much attention to running and our circulation climbed.   Our biggest challenge was reaching people who loved running.  There were few mailing lists and of course this was before the internet.  However, things would change.

Photo: December 1975 cover of Runner's World magazine.

In Jim Fixx best selling book (1977) The Complete Book of Running he wrote a whole chapter about RW.  He called it "The Runner's Own Cult Magazine."  Jim wrote, "Practically everyone who cares at all about running reads it...to recycle it would be unthinkable...many runners have lifetime subscriptions....when I began reading RW, I felt I had found the runner's grail.  There were articles on how to train, what to eat, how to race, how to lose weigth..everything a runner needed...it is every bit as important as running shoes or winter running gloves...Runner's World understands what runners go through and it cares."    

11. Tell us about running circa 1975?  By 1975 running was getting a lot of attention.  Runners like Steve Prefontaine captured the hearts of many.  His death in a car accident May 30, 1975 shocked the running world. 

I had spoken with Steve six months prior and I wanted  him to share his ideas about running at the world class level.  Here is what I said in an interview in Runner's World December, 1975 issue, "I talked to Steve about six months prior to his death.  He was very concerned about the way athletes were treated in this country.  His main point was the you can't be a world-class athlete without making a job out of it.  Here he was supposed to be competing for the US and the US wasn't backing him.  He was putting in all the time, and the US was taking all the credit.  The US would not even give its teams good housing, yet the US was always there to take credit for the medals. "  We never published the article because it was delayed and then it was too late...

12. When Running took off, say 1977, did it surprise you?  It did not surprise me that running took off.  Our circulation was growing and we were already above 350,000 by 1977.  Jim Fixx's book really helped.   Kenneth Cooper published a book Aerobics in 1968 and it was well received.  It got millions of people out jogging.  The timing on his book was perfect.  America needed to get out the door and make exercise part of their life's.  This book did that.  However, jogging is not as addictive as racing.  How many people have been jogging for 10 years or more?  However, how many people have been running races for 10 years or more.  At Runner's World we pushed racing and this was the foundation of our message. 

I wrote this in the December, 1979 issue of Runner's World, "At the beginning of the decade, it would have been absurd to imagine a runner being paid $50,000 or more by a shoe company to wear its product in competition.  Paying a runner $5000 to enter a road race would have been science fiction.  Running has grown tremendously.  It has matured.  As much as some runners resist change, I've found many of those changes refreshing.  So much so that I can honestly say I enjoy running more today than I did ten years ago."

I went on to say, "The basics have not changed in 10 years.  In order to run, you put one foot in front of the other.  The difference is that now I can perform that simple process with a lot more people-people who understand the joy I derive from running."  

Great interview Bob! I always wanted to know the "inside" scoop about you and Runners World and this answered all my questions. Your passion for the sport will be, without question, recognized as an integral part of running history. Thank you for your invaluable contribution to the sport and for your continual efforts to help improve the life of others.
Roger Wright 1/5/12 10:13 pm

I love the photos!!
Lisa Anderson-Wall 1/6/12 9:58 am

Really enjoyed reading about the history of Runner's World. It's a great story and you're an inspiration to the running world. Keep it going!
Justin Wall 1/13/12 12:22 pm

Bob, great interview! Because I was close by back in the 70's and 80's, this brings back some memories.
Richard Stiller 1/16/12 7:49 am

Thanks Rich...it was great seeing you yesterday in SF!
Bob Anderson 1/16/12 9:58 am

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13. 1980-tell us about that?  By 1980 the business world started noticing running.  Companies like Perrier Water started sponsoring running events.  The New York City and Boston Marathon were major events and names like Bill Rodgers and Grete Waitz were in the news regularly. 

In 1981 the movie Chariots of Fire won Best Picture and brought even more attention to running. Running was now in the limelight.  There were races every weekend in many cities around the country.  Runner's World circulation had climbed to nearly 500,000.  Many of our writers had become very famous like Dr George Sheehan, Joe Henderson and Joan Ullyot.  We published Dr Sheehan on Running and it made it to the New York City Times best Seller list for paperbacks.  We had published more than 15 of Joe's books and Joan's book about women's running became a classic.

14. Did the Runner magazine starting surprise you?  George Hirsch started a magazine called New Times in 1973 but he too was hooked on running.  He was educated in the publishing field and enjoyed reading Runner's World.  He thought he could do it better.  I was a college dropout and was publishing the largest running magazine in the world.  At the time only Track and Field News was in the game on an international scale.  He got backing and launched the Runner magazine in 1978.  He hooked up with Bill Rodgers, Frank Shorter, Marc Bloom and Marty Liquori.  George is a very competitive guy and he went after us.  However, Runner magazine never came close to our circulation, however it was the second biggest running magazine in the world.

15. Tell us about NYC marathon director Fred Lebow? I had met Fred many times.  We did talk about Runner's World being more involved with his marathon but it never worked out.  However, we did many promotions around the New York City Marathon. At the 1977 NYC marathon Runner's World hosted a runner's get together.  This was before expos.  We had tired it before in Boston and we packed the ballroom there.  The same thing happened in NY.  Fred had a vision that worked out beyond his wildest dreams.  The running world owes Fred a big thanks for everything he did. 

16. Tell us about RW 1980-1984?  It was so exciting to have built Runner's World in a major magazine.  We printed over one million copies of the 1984 Olympic Issue and it was nearly 400 pages in size.  Marathon world record holder Derek Clayton was my advertising director and we were doing so many exciting things.  We had created National Running Week, Corporate Cup, RW Indoor Track Meet, 24-hour relay, Fun runs, expo at major marathons, published over 100 books about running, etc. We were not only a magazine spreading the word about running.  We were promoting the sport in so many different ways.  We were turning people on to running.  On to racing...

Photo: Bob Anderson in his Runner's World offices in Mountain View, California

17. Tell us about sale to Rodale?  I had 350 employees and my whole life was consumed with work.  I had never worked any place else in my life and I just didn't know how to handle it.  I was learning as I went along.  What suffered was my family.  During the week I would go into the office about 7am and not get home until 8pm or later. 

My personal running suffered and I was not spending enough time with my family during the week.  I loved my kids so much but I just was not there during the week. However, on the weekends I made sure I did spend time with Lisa and Michael and my wife Rita.   But it was not enough and my wife Rita asked for a divorce.  The bottom line I had to sell Runner's World and dissolve the company to settle the divorce.

18. Was it hard to let go of Runner's World?  It was very hard to sell Runner's World.  It was my baby.  I gave birth January, 1966 but it had to happen.  Several companies were interested in buying Runner's World and I finally decided upon Rodale Press.  Not only because they came up with the most money but I really thought they would continue spreading our message.  It was time to let it go and Rodale Press was the right choice.  I also made sure that all employees would be paid six months salary or until they found a full time job.  They kept some of our employees and gave me a three year consulting contract.  I had to sign a five year non-compete contract but I would have asked for the same.

19. Your running seems as good as ever, do you enjoy it still?  I love running and racing more than ever.  Since selling Runner's World I have been able to focus on my own running.  It is ironic that I started the magazine because I loved running and racing and I wanted to make it my whole life.  But I just did not have enough time to run more than 10-20 miles per week.  On hind sight, I just did not make the time for running. 

Today I run or walk at least 30 miles per week and have been doing this since October 2008.  I let nothing get in the way.  There are a lot of days I really don't have the time but I just make it.  I should have done this when I was publishing Runner's World.   I  ran 33 races in 2011.  This year I finished third at the Carlsbad 5000 in my age group finishing in 19:53 and placed first in the Clarksburg PAUSATF Half Marathon championship November 13 in 1:30:37. 

A few races from the past I am most proud of would be: age 49 Carlsbad 5k 17:08,  age 51 I ran 35:24 for 10k, age 61 I ran 1:26:26 half marathon. 

20. Do you miss Runner's World?  I really don't miss publishing Runner's World.   It was very exciting to have created and build RW but it was taking me away from what I love even more...running.  So much of my time with Runner's World was spent on publishing.  I love publishing but running more.  The one thing I do miss is that I was in contact with so many great runners, coaches and race directors on a regular basis.  I had built so many good relationships.  After selling, I just focused on my own running since I could not be involved with anything to do with running for five years.   

21. Where is running at now?  Running is now big business which is good and bad.  It is great that now a good runner can be rewarded for all the work it takes to be great.  Times at the top are amazing.  A two hour marathon is now possible.  But a lot of school running programs have been cut.  I lot of people are not learning how to push their bodies.  The gap between the top guys and the middle of the pack is getting wider.  But the numbers of runners continue to grow and that is good.  Well it continue? I hope so but there needs to be some changes made.  I think there needs to more attention placed on the average person running better times...setting PR's.  Pushing the limits. 

22. Where is running going?  There are so many great races out there.  The Rock and Roll guys really put on great events.  The New York City Marathon, Boston, Chicago, Berlin, etc. are all super events.  Events now are like rock concerts.  There are also a lot of good smaller events.  Shoes are better than ever and there is everything available to help make running more enjoyable.   But we need to make sure we keep telling people how they can get the most out of their training.  The masses need help and encouragment to improve their times.  Most have never had a coach. The new stars can come from the masses.  There is a lot of talent there.

23. Tell us about UjENA?  I started UjENA in 1984 before selling Runner's World.  We were publishing a women's fitness magazine called FIT and we had a hard time selling advertising.  So we decided to manufacture women's swimwear and sell it.  It worked.  We were one of the first companies to sell swimwear by mail order.  

UjENA is a family business.  My daughter is the president, my son-in-law is our VP sales, my wife Catherine is our PR director/customer service, my son is in charge of our video department.  I am our CEO and our chief photographer.  I love photography and have been doing it since 1968.  Since the beginning of UjENA, we hold an event called the UjENA Jam.  It is a model and photographer search.  At the event, all models and photographers are required to finish our UjENA 5k run/walk.  Many have started running based on this program.

24. Tell us about UjENA fit club and Best Road Races?  We just started the Bob Anderson's UjENA FIT Club in August, 2011 and added Best Road Races in December, 2011.    I had gotten very concerned about the number of people that are not fit and I thought we could put together something that would serve as a support team.  Our message is simple - "Our goal is to get and keep as many people FIT as possible and out the door regularly. We want to make fitness as important as brushing your teeth daily. Fitness is a positive addiction with great side effects.   Our key motivational program will be issuing thousands of dollars to members based on their performance in our selected GO FOR IT! races, UjENA FIT Club sponsored races, posting daily workouts in our FIT Log and by members age-graded rankings."

We already have members like Meb Keflezighi, Sharon Vos,  Michael Wardian, and Honor Fetherston on our rooster.  We have over 300 members already.   It is free to sign up unless you want to help support what we are doing.  We are small right now but we hope to grow into a major force in the running and fitness world.  The main sport we are pushing is running.  

Our new Best Road Races website is going to help runners know what are the best races to run.  There is a big gap between the good races and those that are not.  We have a lot of exciting plans that are unfolding as we speak.

25. What do you think of American running?  We need to set up more running camps like they have in Kenya.  There is a lot of talent in this country but we need to organize and make it easier for up and coming runners to move up to the next level.  There is too big of a gap between those at the top and those who have the ability to be there.

26. What is your favorite race to run each year?  My favorite race each year for me has to be the Carlsbad 5000.  This year will make 19 in a row.  My best time there was when I was 49 and I ran 17:08.  I hope to get under 19:50 this year at age 64.  There are so many races I love but Carlsbad is the best! There are several different races including a race just for men forty plus.

Photo: the family five mile 2011 Christmas run.  Bob, son Mike, Son-In-Law Justin and daughter Lisa

27. Any special plans for 2012? I am celebrating 50 years of running and racing by running 50 races.  I ran my first race Jan 1st and have 49 to go.  I also am going to be spending a lot of time with our websites making them the best they can be.  It is going to be a good year! 

28. How does your family feel about this?  Running as always been a family thing.  My two kids Michael and Lisa have been running their whole lives.  They love it just as much as I do.  My son-in-law Justin just started a couple of years ago and he has already run a 1:27 half marathon.  My three grandkids run too and enjoy it too.   My wife Catherine of 17 years has a foot issue right now but she is also there for me.  I love my family.  They are my support team along with the UjENA FIT Club.  I will reach my 50 race goal...I won't let them down.

For additional information -

UjENA FIT Club Profile link: Bob Anderson