Book Review: Angels and Antelopes: The Story of a Cross-Country Race

Angels and Antelopes: The Story of a Cross-Country Race is exactly what the title says it is: a tale about a certain cross-country race.  Did the race happen?  Is it fictional?  Does it matter if it is either?  No, not really.

While at the brand new GoRun Wichita store last week doing a book signing, I noticed this book on the shelf near the register.  Written by Randy Mijares, one of the co-founders of the GoRun Wichita store, the book is a story of middle school girls, as they take on the National Championship meet.  A race, told from the viewpoint of one of the young girl participants, unfolds before the reader in simple prose with more than a few chuckles.

Who wins or loses here is of little consequence.  One can tell the book was written by someone who cares about the nurturing aspect of the sport, so it is of little surprise that the author is also the founder of the Flying Angels Cross Country Club.  This club is a youth running team based in Wichita, Kansas comprised of girls and boys, ages six and up, who meet regularly to train together.

Undoubtedly many of the runners Randy has coached are either directly represented in this book or are a composite of many.   In either case, the book reads very fluidly and is one any parent with a middle school runner in their house would greatly enjoy.  I give it 4.5 out of 5 See Dane Runs.