I am an avid runner and this book defines what it is to be a runner. It is a cult classic and i've read it 10 times and always lend it out for other people who are just starting to get into running. The major motion picture based on the book is set to be released on July 22 by Universal Pictures. The sequel to this book "Again to Carthage" is also set to be due in July 2007 as well.

The running tidbits are an integral part in this story about a young man and his life in college. It's an entertaining read for runners and non-runners alike.

When I saw this, it looked dated, like a book from the 70s. However I have to echo other reviewers here when I saw it is the best running fiction book I've read. Parker's "Once a Runner" is a great escape from all of the training manuals and guides that runners are forced to read for entertainment. While the main focus on the book is on running, it is cleverly hidden by the story the protagonist, Quenton, and his quest for a sub 4:00 mile. Parker doesn't spend the whole book focusing on things like pace, training regimen, mileage, etc. He hardly ever directly mentions those things, yet they're there, just below the surface. Running almost seems like just a hobby for Quenton as he focuses on his girlfriend and college, but 3/4ths of the way into the book it all comes together and the reader realizes just how important running is to him and just how good he is at it.

I would highly recommend this book to non-runners as well. Running is a fairly boring event. Unless someone is really into it, I cannot imagine they would want to actually read a book about it. But as I said, Parker carefully disguises the running aspect of it. For the non-runner, there's a pretty decent story and they won't become bored with the technical aspects of running. For the serious runner however, this book has some really inspirational moments, and you will find yourself inspired to get up and get moving. The runner understands when they read about Quenton running thirty miles through the rain to his girlfriend's house, and I really felt a small rush in the chapter where Quenton is training with classmates and breaks away from their pace to finish well before them.

"Once a Runner" is such a great book mainly because Parker downplays the running aspect of it, but for those "in the know," it is all there, waiting to be discovered.

Our son is an avid runner and has wanted this book for sometime. We were able to purchase it through [...] from Tom Raynor. He was wonderful to work with. He definitely went the "extra mile" to make sure that we received this in time for Christmas. Our son was thrilled!

This book is always advertised, yet NEVER in stock after you pay for it. I've tried to order it from 4 different people and all 4 didn't actually have it.