The Old Man and the Marathon is a story about taking on a challenge despite the odds. Sixty-four year old Angelo Santiago has been a distance runner most of his life. However, he has never run a marathon because of a history of sciatica problems. This missing piece in his competitive career has always gnawed at him, reminding him of his inferiority among his running peers. After three months of pain-free running, he decides to train for his first marathon. With encouragement from his young friend, Emmanuel, he begins the arduous workouts that will prepare him for one of the most difficult ordeals of his life. Along the way he meets Rita Marling, a beautiful woman who stirs romantic embers dormant since the death of his wife ten years ago. He also encounters Jack Silvers, a local high school coach and marathoner who becomes his rival in racing and romance. On the day of the race, like everyone who takes on the challenge of a marathon, Angelo must reach deep inside to find the strength and courage to finish the race.

All proceeds from sales of The 27th Mile go to support the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. The 27th Mile is dedicated to everyone who loves running or runners-first and foremost to those who were killed or injured at the marathon, but also to the people who, even as they eat dinner with their family, put in another eight hours at work, or sit and read this book, have already planned when they'll go out for their next run. Within this book, you'll find stories that extol the spirit that first got us out on the roads to run, that brought us to Boston on a sunny spring day, and that will bring us back to Hopkinton next year, and in the years that follow. It's the spirit we celebrate every time we go for a run, whatever the distance. The 27th Mile includes a mix of fiction and non-fiction contributed by a wide range of talented writers who run. They're marathon champions and weekend warriors, ultramarathon racers and fitness joggers, running magazine pros and bloggers, best-selling novelists and indie publishing standouts - well, take a look for yourself: Amby Burfoot, Ben Tanzer, Caryl Haddock, Chris Cooper, Chris Russell, Cristina Negron, Grace Butcher, Hal Higdon, Jason Fisk, Jeff Galloway, Jesse Parent, Joe Henderson, Julie Greicius, Kathrine Switzer, Lawrence Block, Lorraine Moller, Mark Remy, Perry Romanowski, Ray Charbonneau, Ray Sespaniak, RJ Walker, Vanessa Runs, Willy Palomo