Author of the 1977 bestseller "Complete Book of Running," credited with popularizing recreational running in the US, and a pioneer in the fitness movement.
Jim Fixx is best known for his 1977 bestselling book, The Complete Book of Running, which sparked America's fitness revolution by popularizing the sport of running and highlighting the numerous health benefits of regular jogging. As a pioneer in the fitness industry, Fixx inspired millions to lace up their running shoes and hit the pavement, transforming the way people think about exercise and healthy living.
Born on April 23, 1932, in New York City, James Fuller Fixx grew up in an intellectually stimulating environment. His father, Calvin Fixx, was an editor at Time magazine, where he worked with notable figures such as Robert Cantwell and Whittaker Chambers. Fixx graduated from Trinity School in New York and Oberlin College in Ohio, demonstrating his academic prowess from an early age.
Fixx's fascination with puzzles and intelligence led him to publish three collections of puzzles: Games for the SuperIntelligent, More Games for the SuperIntelligent, and Solve It. He was also a member of the high-IQ club, Mensa. However, it was his passion for running that catapulted him to fame.
In 1967, at the age of 35, Fixx started running, weighing 214 pounds and smoking two packs of cigarettes a day. Ten years later, when The Complete Book of Running was published, he had transformed his body, losing 60 pounds and quitting smoking. The book spent 11 weeks at the top of The New York Times Best Seller list and sold over a million copies.
Fixx continued to inspire with his writing, publishing Jim Fixx's Second Book of Running: The Companion Volume to The Complete Book of Running in 1980. He also wrote Jackpot in 1982, a book that chronicled his experiences with fame and wealth following the success of his first book.
Fixx was a firm believer in the power of physical exercise to improve overall health and longevity. Through his writing and public appearances, he advocated for the importance of regular jogging, emphasizing its benefits for the mind, body, and spirit.
Jim Fixx's work had a profound impact on modern society, inspiring a generation to adopt running as a form of exercise and healthy living. His advocacy for physical fitness helped to shift the cultural narrative, making running a mainstream activity and paving the way for the modern fitness industry.
Despite his untimely death, Fixx's legacy lives on through his writing and the countless lives he touched through his advocacy for running and healthy living. His work continues to inspire, motivating people to lace up their running shoes and take control of their health.
78 Years Old
Olympic gold and silver medalist in the 1970s, and later a TV commentator for track and field events, known for his dominance in long-distance running and charismatic broadcasting style.
74 Years Old
Won the 1981 Open Championship at Royal St George's, becoming the first American to win the tournament in 50 years, and had 5 PGA Tour victories.
75 Years Old
A middle-distance runner who won seven NCAA championships and set 15 American records, known for his aggressive racing style and charismatic personality.
82 Years Old
A pioneering distance runner who set multiple American records, later becoming a celebrated journalist and author, known for his insightful and poetic writing on running and life.
72 Years Old
A pioneering female distance runner who won multiple world championships and set numerous records, inspiring generations of women to take up running.
69 Years Old
Won the 1984 Olympic gold medal in the inaugural women's marathon, setting a world record and paving the way for future female distance runners.
