Marathon : a story of endurance and friendship

R. Harteis

At the age of 41 Harteis was training for and running the New York City marathon. This serve as the backdrop for this open and honest account of the author's relationship with poet William Meredith, who was awarded the 1988 Pulitzer Prize. The work explores the demands of maintaining a career, sustaining a relationship, and caring for a seriously ill loved one. From Meredith, who was nearing seventy, a stroke victim and Harteis's 17-year companion, Harteis gains courage, discipline, and resolve. For runners, the most moving part is Harteis's vivid first-person account of the marathon experience. He is particularly adept at capturing the excitement, energy, and rhythm of the race, as well as the interaction between entrants and the crowd. The work goes far beyond running in its stoic acceptance of life.