Description: "In a remote Arizona mountain town more than half a century ago, a collegiate dynasty was born. Northern Arizona University learned about excellence in the altitude mecca of Flagstaff, a training ground for generations of legendary runners. But this school with no traditional powerhouse credentials fought to build momentum and a culture of success over decades before finally exploding to become the country's preeminent distance-running team. Authored by three-time cross country All-American Matt Baxter and Hall of Fame coach Ron Mann, the book authentically captures NAU's humble origins and growing pains, culminating in an insider's perspective that will delight running fans. Running Up the Mountain is a moving portrait of an elite squad with colorful characters fighting to reach the summit of their sport amid the pressure of intense rivalries and the jarring impact of COVID-19. From quaint beginnings to national champs, grit and commitment endure as defining features . . . when you're running with the Lumberjacks."--Amazon.com.
Review Quotes:
"Running Up the Mountain: Northern Arizona Altitude, Lumberjack Attitude, and the Building of a Distance Dynasty has been named Best Sports/Recreation Book by the New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards. The mission of the New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards is 'uncovering and honoring the best in Arizona and New Mexico books.' Almost 1,000 books competed in 47 categories or genres. Every book was judged by at least three judges, made up of booksellers, librarians, teachers, book marketing experts, as well as avid book readers." Stacy Bush Putman
"Running Up the Mountain is a fascinating insider's account of a collegiate cross-country team's improbable rise." --Foreword Clarion Reviews
"NAU and Flagstaff represent our sport at its best. This book chronicles the journey." --Meb Keflezighi, 2014 Boston Marathon winner, 2009 New York City Marathon winner, Olympic silver medalist
"What a treat it is to read this book and learn about the personalities that built one of America's great running programs in one of our treasured running communities." --Chris Lear, author, Running with the Buffaloes
"NAU has been inspirational to runners for more than fifty years. My fellow Kiwis know that well; there has been at least one New Zealander on NAU's top seven for four of their six national titles. Matt Baxter and Ron Mann bring to life how an upstart school on the road to the Grand Canyon came to beat the best through friendship, mutual trust, hard work, and building a shared tradition second to none." --Rod Dixon, 1983 New York City Marathon winner
"More than a history of a college running program, more than a celebration of a running mecca, Running Up the Mountain is a blueprint for how to have success in the sport of running, with lessons that are surprisingly universal in their appeal." --Matt Fitzgerald, author, Running the Dream: One Summer Living, Training, and Racing with a Team of World-Class Runners Half My Age
"Running Up the Mountain is a rich history that details both teams' work ethic, dedication, camaraderie, and pride. I'm a converted Lumberjack fan. As much as the men have seen success in recent years, as a female runner it's been exciting to see the rise and prominence of the women's team." --Stephanie Bruce, three-time U.S. national champion; three-time mom; co-founder, Picky Bars
"Running Up the Mountain is an inspirational and intimate story well told. Matt and Ron provide an insider's guide to the fifty-year ascent of Northern Arizona University to the pinnacle of U.S. collegiate distance running. The book reveals how thoughtful and innovative coaching, dedicated student-athletes, a strong team culture, and the unique Flagstaff training environment converged to build the dynasty that NAU has become. A highly enjoyable read!" --Pete Pfitzinger, two-time Olympian, author of Advanced Marathoning
"My fondest memory of Flagstaff is one of extreme gratitude to the community at large. It welcomed us Olympic hopefuls with open arms. The salvation of the USA distance running team from complete disaster at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics was due in large part to Dr. Jack Daniels and the Flagstaff community." --Jim Ryun, former mile world-record holder, Olympic silver medalist
"I used Flagstaff for my base training in summer 2011 leading up to my second-place finish at the Chicago Marathon (2:06:13 PR) and my Boston Marathon win in 2012. The running conditions and community are the best around. Flagstaff is a town for champions." --Wesley Korir, 2012 Boston Marathon winner
"The high altitude training under the supervision of Dr. Jack Daniels is the only reason this farm boy from Kansas made the 1968 Olympic team. Jim Ryun, George Young, Billy Mills, and I could not have had that training experience without the generous support and facilities of NAU and the Flagstaff community. My hat's off to all those Arizonans who played such an important role in that mentorship." --Dr. Conrad Nightingale, 1968 Olympian