Bob Anderson (runner) - Life and Work

Life and Work

In 1966, as a high school senior in Overland Park, Kansas, Bob Anderson was interested in running. He was a 4:41-miler with a passion for the sport and wanted to learn how to train for a marathon. He searched for information about training and racing and discovered there was little information available so, at age 17, he started his own publication.

Anderson started a black and white magazine titled Distance Running News and began selling subscriptions. The publication came out twice per year and by its second year the magazine had 850 subscribers. The circulation grew to 3000 and the publication developed into a magazine published six times per year. Anderson published the magazine by himself for several years.

In 1970, Anderson brought on runner and writer Joe Henderson as chief editor. Henderson was a young newspaper reporter and former Iowa State cross-country champion who had worked for Track and Field News. In that same year, Anderson moved the operations from Kansas to Mountain View, California, and the name of the magazine changed to "Runners World." Runner and cardiologist, George Sheehan, came on board as the magazine's featured columnist and medical editor.

In 1973, the magazine went monthly and added color to the pages. As the popularity of running grew in the United States, the circulation of the magazine increased. Runner's World thrived during the "running boom." According to an article in the Oakland Tribune, the circulation of Runner's World increased from 50,000 in 1975 to 250,000 in 1977. In that same year Henderson left to pursue other writing and editing opportunities.

In 1980, the Daily Herald (Chicago) published a San Francisco (AP) article titled: "Running: Sport of the '70s." The article highlighted comments by Bob Anderson. In that article, Anderson said that in 1970 the number of people who considered themselves runners was 2 million. He also said that according to a national survey of one independent polling company, the number of people who considered themselves runners was 30 million.

Bob Anderson's contributions captured the attention of President Ronald Reagan. He was invited to the White House and acknowledged for his contributions to health and wellness in the United States. Writers and columnists for Runner's World included Richard Benyo, John Brant, Ambrose Burfoot, Bob Cooper, Joe Henderson, Hal Higdon, Don Kardong, Kenny Moore, George Sheehan, and Joan Ullyot.