The Man Behind the Marathons: How Ron Calhoun Helped Terry Fox and Other Heroes Make Millions for Charity

by Elaine Cougler

When Ron Calhoun was born in 1933 no one guessed where his incredible life would take him. Growing up on a farm during the Great Depression and World War II, Ron learned early the lesson of helping others. His grandfather opened his root cellar full of the family’s farm-grown vegetables to hungry neighbours, with no money needed in return. Ron became a volunteer in many organizations over the years, starting the Ladies Great Ride For Cancer and becoming the National Special Events Chair for the Canadian Cancer Society. He is most famous for being the man behind the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope; indeed, he developed that iconic phrase.Fighting his own personal demons as the years went on, Ron managed to make his considerable mark as the man behind Steve Fonyo’s Journey for Lives, Ken McColm’s Incredible Journey, and John and Jesse Davidson’s Jesse’s Journey. This is the story of how one man truly can make a difference.

184 pages, Paperback

Published May 31, 2019

About the author

Elaine’s award-winning historical novels are about the lives of settlers in the Thirteen Colonies who remained loyal to Britain during the American Revolution. She used the backdrop of the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Rebellion of 1837 for page-turning fictional tales where the main characters face torn loyalties, danger, and personal conflicts. Her Loyalist trilogy is comprised of The Loyalist’s Wife, The Loyalist’s Luck and The Loyalist Legacy. The newly released prequel to this series is The Loyalist’s Daughter where 14-year-old Lucinda Harper and her father witness the dumping of tea chests into Boston’s harbour, an act which precipitates the American Revolutionary War.
Elaine wrote a different kind of history in the creative non-fiction book about the last (at the time) surviving member of the Canadian Cancer Society “inner sanctum” team, Ronald G. Calhoun, who managed Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope in 1980. The Man Behind the Marathons: How Ron Calhoun Helped Terry Fox and Other Heroes Make Millions for Charity launched in 2019 and is a recipient of the Book Excellence Award and is an Amazon #1 Bestseller.
Elaine’s writing journey has led to speaking gigs, cruises, trips, and also to her giving workshops on a variety of subjects. She says you learn a lot when you embrace your dreams.

She and her husband have two grown children and are delighted to be grandparents to a boy and a girl. Life is good.


Links:
Elaine can be found on YouTube and LinkedIn and through the following links: @ElaineCougler www.elainecougler.com http://www.facebook.com/ElaineCougler... https://www.instagram.com/elainecougler/

Reviews

[ChillwithabookAWARD With · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Man Behind The Marathons has received a Chill with a Book Readers' Award.
www.chillwithabook.com

Pauline Barclay - Founder of Chill Awards.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Canadians don't often think of themselves as heroic. Terry Fox singlehandedly began tearing down the walls both to cancer research, community involvement with cancer research and ultimately to our identity as a nation.
He is clearly a hero.
No less heroic was Ron Calhoun the Man Behind the Marathons in this biography by Elaine Cougler. Leaning into talks shared with Calhoun, a life long friend, Ms. Cougler has written a warm and insightful bio of this man who spent most of his life dedicated to others.
This act of writing is no less heroic on her part since Elaine Cougler's safety zone is Historical Fiction. She had to learn the arc of factual presentations and then delve into Creative Non-Fiction to finalize this book.
It is a wholesome read, one that inspires a sense of who we are at our best. And in these times, surely we need this more than ever.

[Lisa Hutchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an astonishing and fascinating book ! Every Canadian knows about Terry Fox and his incredible legacy - but few people are aware of the man behind this. Ms. Cougler does a wonderful job in making this a page turner - such fascinating details. I highly recommend reading this book - a great read for a school project or book club.
Lisa Hutchison, award winning author of "Iron Annie" and "Bertha-shine like the dawn"

[Elaine Cougler · Rating 5 out of 5]

While it may seem strange for an author to write about her own book here, this book deserves my words. Yes, I wrote The Man Behind the Marathons. And I'm so glad I did. Ron Calhoun's singular life as a volunteer is a story that needs to be told. The book starts with four chapters about the incomparable Terry Fox and Ron's work behind the scenes to make the Marathon of Hope successful. Next is a section of the other four marathon events he masterminded for Steve Fonyo, Ken McColm and John and Jesse Davidson. Each of those is a story in itself, with both the good and the bad and how Ron Calhoun dealt with it all. The final section of the book outlines Ron's life and suggests how his upbringing made him the man he became who could make such a difference to so many people. His life has been a Marathon of Hope. (He coined that phrase for the Terry Fox marathon way back in 1980.) This book, written about some of Canada's heroes, shows that the man behind all those athletes attempting the impossible and mostly succeeding is one of Canada's and the world's outstanding heroes.

[Marg Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read bringing tears to my eyes, warmth to my heart and laughter to my gut. Terry Fox had a dream to raise awareness and money to fight against cancer with dignity and courage. With wit and tenderness, Elaine Cougler tells the story of Ron Calhoun, the man who joined the Canadian Cancer Society in order to give back to the community. Calhoun not only helped Terry Fox realize his dream but also helped all of us identify with the Marathon of Hope.

[Wayne Caslick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read Ms Cougler's historical fiction, I looked forward to her first non fiction effort and The Man Behind the Marathons did not disappoint. Great for a leisurely read and as well written as Ms Cougler's earlier books. Fascinating insights into the life of Terry Fox and the equally amazing later marathoners but the final marathon is the remarkable life and legacy of Ron Calhoun the man behind the success of the marathons.