A new novel penned by a veteran NCAA cross-country and track and field coach shares the coming-of-age stories of two young American runners from distinct eras. 

A Golden Era: A Tale of Two Runner,s by Jim Knoedel, who coached at Iowa State, Drake, Northwestern, Loyola-Chicago and the University of Illinois at Chicago over a 35-year career that also included numerous U.S. national team appointments, examines the fictional prep careers of a father in the late 1960s and his son in the 21st century. From sweep-hand stop watches, cinder tracks and low-cut basketball shoes to running’s contemporary, tech-infused realities, A Golden Era explores the evolution of the sport, team dynamics and runners’ ongoing quests to reach their potential.

A virtual book launch event slated for Thursday, Nov. 12, at 8:00 p.m. EST will feature a discussion and Q&A with Knoedel as well as Chicago Marathon executive race director Carey Pinkowski. The Voice for Good’s Shawn Sullivan, one of the nation’s top race-day announcers, will moderate the program. Register for the free event by visiting www.thevoiceforgood.com/knoedel.

Purchase A Golden Era at www.taleoftworunners.com.

A second title from Knoedel, A Long Road Ahead: A Tale of Two Runners Redux, is slated for release in Fall 2021.