Sports Fact and Book Rec of the Day 11/07/2007

11/7/2004:
Paula Radcliffe of England and Hendrik Ramaala of South Africa both surmount the challenges of unseasonably warm weather and a record-high field (37,000 entrants) to capture their first victories in the New York Marathon. For Radcliffe, the women's world record holder in the event, the win is sweet redemption after she was forced to drop out of the Olympic marathon three months ago in Athens. Ramaala's victory in the men's division is his first in a major marathon. Victimized by going out too fast and fading in past races, he paces himself much better today, even skipping the final water station as he cruises to the finish line.

Birthdays:
Al Attles b. 1936
Jim Kaat b. 1938
Joe Niekro b. 1944
Glendon Rusch b. 1974
Mark Philippoussis b. 1976


In the mood for a glorious saga, a love story sweeping decades, a book to take you far away from your own life and deep into the details of the past? Then enter Katherine. Seton’s classic novel tells the story of real-life characters Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, the son of King Edward III. Their impossible love affair, carried out against the pageantry and pain of medieval England, was tender and tragic. Unforgettable. Historical fiction at its finest.

KATHERINE, by Anya Seton (1954; Chicago Review Press, 2004)