John Bingham (runner)
- This article is about the runner. For the 19th century American politician and lawyer see John Armor Bingham.
John Bingham (born 1948) is an American marathon runner and author, nicknamed "The Penguin", who has achieved widespread recognition for promoting the walking of long-distance race courses to the general public. He's been called the Pied Piper of the second running boom - and for good reason. Since his column, "The Penguin Chronicles" started in Runner's World magazine in May 1996, John "The Penguin" Bingham has become one of the running community's most popular and recognized personalities. Now, as a feature columnist for Competitor Magazine, John's popularity continues to grow.
Through his books, column and blogs, Bingham has inspired a generation of new runners to find joy in walking, running, and racing. His transformation from a life of "sedentary confinement" to marathoner has become a model for people of all ages and abilities. Once an overweight couch potato, he looked mid-life in the face - and got moving. Since then, he has participated in over 45 marathons and hundreds of 5K, 10K, and half marathon races.
Bingham says, "Through running, I create myself as I have always wanted to be. Nothing in my experience was as powerful as crossing the finish line of my first race. With that single step, I overcame a lifetime of unkept promises to myself." In a self-effacing and humorous manner, Bingham delivers his message of hope and inspiration to people who've been running for a week or a lifetime. His message has universal appeal - to elite runners at the Boston Marathon and members of local running and walking clubs alike.
With evangelical passion, Bingham travels nearly 300 days a year leading marathon pace groups, speaking to packed rooms of runners of all levels, and guiding an ever-growing number of fans. The travel is necessary, he believes, to keep in touch with the hearts and 'soles' of the second running boomers whose advocate he's become.
In the summer of 1997, John toured 23 States in 56 days on his motorcycle. In 1998, he logged 31 States in 20 weeks. In 1999 he and his son launched the 1999 Penguin Tour with an 11-day cross-country motorcycle ride, after which they ran the Suzuki Rock 'n' Roll marathon together. 2000 found him on the road for nearly 6 months on his Millenium tour and in 2001 he covered 11,000 miles during the Penguin Odyssey tour.
These days, John is more likely to be flying than driving as the Penguin world continues to expand. He is the National Spokesperson for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training and a clinician and principal announcer at the Competitor Group's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon series.
Beyond all that, Bingham is the honorary race director of Elite Racing's Country Music Marathon in Nashville, Tennessee, and a founder of the Virginia Beach Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon. He is in constant demand as a clinician and has been a featured speaker the Austin, Boston, Chicago, Columbus, Country Music, Dallas/White Rock, Disney, Flying Pig, Honolulu, Houston, Mayor's Midnight Sun, Myrtle Beach, Portland, Rock 'n' Roll, San Diego, San Francisco, and Vermont City marathons. He's led over 15 Runner's World marathon pace groups in the U.S. and has been the only U.S. member of the Runner's World UK pacing team at the London marathon.
His first book, The Courage to Start: A Guide to Running for Your Life, has been among the top 10 running books since its publication (Simon & Schuster, April 1999.) In April 2002, Bingham's book No Need for Speed: A Beginner's Guide to the Joy of Running was published by Rodale Press.
In May 2003, Bingham's book Marathoning for Mortals: A Regular Person's Guide to the Joy of Running or Walking a Full or Half Marathon, co-authored by Coach Jenny Hadfield was published by Rodale Press. The book has become one of the best selling marathon and half-marathon training guides ever written.
In June 2003, Breakaway Books published the second edition of The Penguin Brigade Training Log - co-authored by Coach Jenny Hadfield. The all new second edition includes a food log, an "i-rate" scale to measure your effort, and 52 weeks of inspirational messages.
In 2007, he and his wife Coach Jenny Hadfield completed Running for Mortals and have brought their message of joy and self-discovery to a new generation of runners.
Amby Burfoot, editor of Runner's World, says of Bingham: "People can so identify with John and his struggles and with his attempts to be faster than he is. John shows them that it's okay for runners to admit their inadequacies
Known by fans as "The Penguin" for his back-of-the-pack speed, John Bingham is the unlikely hero of the modern running boom. In his new book An Accidental Athlete: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Middle Age, the best-selling author and magazine columnist recalls his childhood dreams of athletic glory, sedentary years of unhealthy excess, and a life-changing transformation from couch potato to "adult-onset athlete." An Accidental Athlete is now available in bookstores, running shops, and online. Download the book's introduction at www.velopress.com/penguin.
Overweight, uninspired, and saddled with a pack-and-a-half-a-day smoking habit, Bingham found himself firmly wedged into a middle-age slump. Then two frightening trips to the emergency room and a conversation with a happy piano tuner led him to discover running-and changed his life for the better.
In turns inspiring, poignant, hilarious, and heartbreaking, An Accidental Athlete is a warm and engaging book for the everyday athlete. Bingham tells stories of the joys of running-the pride of the finisher's medal, a bureau-busting t-shirt collection, intense back-of-the-pack strategizing. An Accidental Athlete is about one man's discovery that middle age was not the finish line after all, but only the beginning.
"The Penguin does it again! An Accidental Athlete is a charming, witty and relatable tale of John finding himself through running. In this great book he shares his journey with us one stride and two laughs at a time." - Deena Kastor, American marathon record holder, Olympic medalist, and 12-time national champion
"John 'The Penguin' Bingham has touched a nerve with runners worldwide like no one in the last decade. He's funny but serious, informal but inspirational, and his spoken and written words have become the rallying cry for tens of thousands of runners who have found a patron saint where they least expected one-in the back of the pack. With The Penguin as their leader, they have found not just the courage to start, but also the determination to finish." - Amby Burfoot, Runner's World magazine
"Most of us can truly identify with John Bingham's story: There are no gold medals, no laurel wreaths, no world records. But John shows us that we have something more important: a chance, if we have the will and believe in ourselves." - Dave McGillivray, Boston Marathon race director
An Accidental Athlete: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Middle Age John "The Penguin" Bingham Paperback, 5" x 8", 212 pp., $16.95, 978-1-934030-73-8 Available now in bookstores, running shops, and online
John "The Penguin" Bingham is author of several books about running and featured columnist for Competitor magazine, spokesman of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program, and race announcer of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series. His popular column The Penguin Chronicles ran for 14 years in Runner's World magazine. Learn more about The Penguin at www.johnbingham.com.
[edit] External links
[edit] Bibliography
- Bingham, John (1999). The Courage To Start : A Guide To Running for Your Life. Fireside. ISBN 0-684-85455-4.
- Bingham, John (2002). No Need for Speed : A Beginner's Guide to the Joy of Running. Rodale Books. ISBN 1-57954-429-0.
- Bingham, John (2003). Marathoning for Mortals : A Regular Person's Guide to the Joy of Running or Walking a Half-Marathon or Marathon. Rodale Books. ISBN 1-57954-782-6.
