In the late 1860s, an emerging sport briefly rose to prominence—professional endurance walking. While men dominated the sport, a small group of women generated their own excitement and garnered national attention. Learn about this obscure chapter in sports history, women's history, and American history at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4, at the Allen Public Library. Admission to the program is free, and the presentation will also be streamed live on ACTV at https://ACTV.org, click the green Watch button top right on channel page.

Harry Hall, the author of The Pedestriennes: America's Forgotten Superstars, will describe how social preconceptions about women's capabilities were challenged in those days.  This attitude assisted the suffragist movement, laying the groundwork for women's participation in athletics and the revival of the Olympics. This book has been the recipient of three prestigious writing awards: the Mayborn, Independent Publisher, and Writer’s Digest.  

With an impressive marathon record of 2:27 himself, Hall offers unique insights about the pedestriennes. He observes, “My experiences as a distance runner helped me understand the impact intense training has on the body and mind. The routines, struggles, I'd personally experienced many of those stresses the pedestriennes did.” Harry has served as a contributor to The Dallas Morning News Health and Fitness Section.

Books are available for purchase at the event.  The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911 for additional information.