In 1968 the notable British Athletics historian Peter Lovesey wrote a book called "The Kings of Distance" which covered the careers of Louis Bennett (USA) better known as Deerfoot, Water George, Alf Shrubb, Paavo Nurmi and Emil Zatopek. Unfortunately this book is now out of print and prices for second hand copies are now quoted at from $97 US dollars to a staggering $542.59 .

Fortunately another British author, Rob Hadgraft has now written separate biographies of the first three Kings of Distance. He is a meticulous researcher, a freelance journalist, he consults every available source: other athletic historians; contemporary newspapers, magazines and books . He has managed to find family members and thus accessed family papers.

In his latest book "Deerfoot: Athletics' Noble Savage - From Indian Reservation to Champion of the World" , he has produced an indepth biography of the first great American distance runner, and of his remarkable British tour from 1861-1863 in which he ran 130 events in 87 weeks - roughly one every 4.6 days! Hadgraft documents each of these in a detailed appendix, along with a list of Deerfoot's world records, and the progression of the On Hour, 15 000 metres and 10 mile world records. [Haile Gebrselassie's recent 10 mile/Hour world record came after the publication of the book.]

Such detailed and painstaking biographies of great distance runners of the past are few and far between. The book - ISBN 978-1-905328-29-1 224 pages is available price 18.99 published by Desert Island Books Ltd. www.desertislandbooks.com

Rob Hadgraft's earlier biographies of Walter George and Alf Shrubb are still in print.

BEER AND BRINE: The Making of WALTER GEORGE, ATHLETICS' FIRST SUPERSTAR (2006) 256 pages ISBN 1-905328-20-6 18.99 "Beer and Brine is a gripping account of a great runner, copiously researched and full of fascinating information. Rob Hadgraft has done a terrific job" Hadgraft's method is a sound one. As a good journalist he consults every available source: other historians and collectors; books, magazines and newspapers; letters and archives. He has even succeeded in finding descendants." Track Stats Magazine.. ."..meticulous research and detail . Races against the legendary American Lou Myers are detailed with such clarity that the author appears to be present" Running Fitness Magazine.

THE LITTLE WONDER: The Untold Story of ALFRED SHRUBB - WORLD CHAMPION RUNNER (2004) 320 pages ISBN 1-874287-81-3 18.99 "The strongest contender for the greatest athlete never to have won an Olympic medal must surely be Alf Shrubb, who was the world's greatest distance runner 100 years ago." The Daily Mail "Shrubb is the subject of a delightfully crafted biography which recounts not just his exploits, but brings alive a fascinating era of sport" The Glasgow Herald.

From 1st August 2007 the publishers have announced that all customers can take advantage of special postage rates. Buy any two or three of Rob Hadgraft's three athletics biographies (in one combined purchase) and pay postage on just one book (3 in UK; 8 outside UK). The second and third book will be sent post-free. http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Desert-Island-Books