Runner's World

''Runner's World'' is a globally circulated monthly magazine for runners of all skills sets, published by Hearst in Easton, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Before its acquisition by Hearst, it was founded and published by Rodale, Inc. in Emmaus, Pennsylvania.

History

''Runner's World'' was originally launched in 1966 by Bob Anderson as ''Distance Running News, '' and Anderson published the magazine by himself for several years from his home in Manhattan, Kansas. Runner and writer Hal Higdon had been writing for the magazine since the beginning (2nd edition). In 1969, Anderson changed the name of the magazine to ''Runner's World''. He brought on Joe Henderson as chief editor and moved the editorial offices, now named World Publications, to Mountain View, California. ''Runner's World'' thrived during the 1970s "running boom", even in the face of competition from the New York-based magazine, ''The Runner''.

;Purchase by Rodale Press
In the early 1980s, Bob Anderson sold a good portion of his publications, including ''Runner's World''. Some of Anderson's books went out of print while others were distributed by Macmillan Publishing. Robert Rodale of Rodale, Inc., purchased ''Runner's World'' in 1985 and the editorial offices moved to Rodale's base in Emmaus, Pennsylvania. Joe Henderson did not move to Emmaus, and stepped down as editor, though he remained associated with the magazine until 2003. Random House bought the running log, which was published under the ''Runner's World'' name for decades after the sale.

In 1986, Rodale bought ''The Runner'', and merged the two magazines, keeping the ''Runner's World'' name and some writers, including Amby Burfoot who became the editor (a post he held until 2003).

''Runner's World'' remained strong through the so-called "second running boom" in the late 1990s. In 2004, the magazine had a full redesign. Since then, the magazine has won several awards including being ranked #1 on ''Adweek's'' Hot List, #6 on ''Advertising Ages "A-List"; been recognized for having the "Creative Team of the Year", and most notably has been nominated three times for National Magazine Awards. Also, since the redesign, the magazine's circulation has increased from 525,000 to 650,000 at a time when most consumer magazines' circulations have declined, and advertising pages and revenue remain at an all time high.

In February 2007, Rodale acquired ''Running Times'' magazine with the objective of getting the magazine back on its original mission to serve the front of the pack.

Hearst acquired Rodale in 2018. ''Runner's World'' offices were moved from Emmaus, Pennsylvania to Easton, Pennsylvania.

;Awards

In 2021, Mitchell S. Jackson was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing for his ''Runner's World'' articl
''Twelve Minutes and a Life''
"a deeply affecting account of the murder of Ahmaud Arbery that combined vivid writing, thorough reporting and personal experience to shed light on systemic racism in America."

International circulation

Since the early 1990s, ''Runner's World'' has expanded outside the United States, currently with 18 international editions. The first was a United Kingdom edition wholly owned by NatMag Rodale, a joint venture between Rodale, Inc. and The Hearst Corporation in the UK. Editions in Argentina, Australia/New Zealand, Belgium, Brazil, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey are published either as joint ventures or through licensing arrangements with publishers in those countries. Editors in each country have access to editorial content from the U.S. edition, but also publish their own original content with local flavor.

See also

* Bob Anderson
*John Bingham
*Browning Ross

References

External links

*

{{Authority control

Lifestyle magazines published in the United States
Sports magazines published in the United States
Magazines published in Pennsylvania
Monthly magazines published in the United States
Magazines established in 1966
Rodale, Inc.
Running mass media
Magazines published in Kansas
Athletics magazines