5 Famous Writers On Running

There seems to be a correlation between those who write for a living and run for their preferred choice of exercise. Perhaps it’s because both are forms of clearing the mind and take a strong psychological toughness to see all the way through. Because exercise and writing go hand in hand, there are plenty of authors that have dwelled upon their experience with running. Here are some of the most notable authors to open up about exercise.

5. Adam Hochschild

Throughout his career that has spanned more than 35 years, Adam Hoschschild has written books that include “King Leopold’s Ghost”, “Bury the Chains” and “Spain in Our Hearts”. In addition, Hochschild has also worked as a journalist and commentator that has a passion for running as much as he does with writing. For Hochschild, getting out and taking in nature while running or walking is a big part of his life. Don’t ask him to get on a treadmill, though, as Hochschild enjoys nature more than running in place and staring at a screen.

4. Malcolm Gladwell

Known best for his work with The New Yorker for more than a quarter century now, Malcolm Gladwell has found success through penning books such as “The Tipping Point”, “Blink” and “Outliers”. Gladwell, who also hosts a podcast called “Revisionist History” is also one of writing’s most avid runners. While at his peak in running during the college years, Gladwell was able to run a mile in under four minutes. Now in his late 50s, Gladwell is still running and can knock out a 5:15 mile. “I always run when I travel,” Gladwell said. “It’s the only way to stay sane.”

3. Nicholas Thompson

A graduate of Stanford University, Nicholas Thompson has had stints with publications such as The New Yorker and Wired, and is currently with The Atlantic. Thompson is almost known more for his running than he is writing and editing, though. He has written several pieces about running, including setting record times in races. Not only has Thompson participated in marathons, but in 2021 he set the United States record for the 45-49 year old group in the 50k, finishing in 3 hours 4 seconds.

2. Joyce Carol Oates

The author of novels such as “Black Water” and “The Wheel of Love”, Joyce Carol Oates gets some of her writing ideas while she’s in the middle of a run. “Running,” Oates said. “If there’s any activity happier, more exhilarating, more nourishing to the imagination, I can’t think what it might be. In running the mind flies with the body; the mysterious efflorescence of language seems to pulse in the brain, in rhythm with our feet and the swinging of our arms.”

1. Haruki Murakami

Japanese author Haruki Murakami has not only created works of science fiction, fantasy and beyond, but he’s also written about his favorite passion, running. Murakami is a marathon runner who wrote about his experience in writings such as “What I Talk About When I Talk ABout Running”. “Most runners run not because they want to live longer,” Murakami said. “But because they want to live life to the fullest.”