ABOUT US - THE JOURNAL OF YOUTH RUNNING

THE FOUNDER/AUTHOR

Douglas Finley is the editor and primary author of the Journal of Youth Running. During his professional career, Doug served as director of parks and recreation in Lansing, Michigan, on the adjunct faculty at Michigan State University, as a zoological park director, and as an administrator with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. And somehow, in the middle of all that, Doug managed the Great Lakes State Games, an affiliate program of the United States Olympic Committee.

Doug, a lifetime runner and fitness athlete, admittedly can't claim many titles he won or records that were not soon broken. Stardom was for others.  A sub three-hour marathon was a very good day. A near top finish in a 50-mile race on the Chicago lakefront was a highlight. 

After retiring from government in 2009, Doug coached high school cross country and organized and coached a community-based children's running program sponsored by the Michigan Running Foundation. For Doug, the journey was the award and his coaching the measuring stick of success. 

Throughout his career, Doug created a network of coaches and athletes from across the country, many of whom contribute to this website. His writings on youth running have been published on the RUNNING TIMES, PODIUM RUNNER (now outsideonline.com) and on the RUNNER'S WORLD websites. 

Doug, along with Dr. Charles Kuntzleman, authored Fun and Fitness – the Mileage Club Way. The Mileage Club is the leading school-based fitness program in the United States and abroad with now over 20,000 schools hosting Mileage Club programs. Fun and Fitness offers teachers and coaches of youth programs with more than fifty running activities, each designed to offer opportunities for children to realize success. 

Doug and his wife Marilyn live in Evanston, Illinois. He can be best reached at douglasfinley@att.net.