Ronald Wallingford (1933- ), a native of Ottawa, captained the track team that won the Big Ten Championship at the University of Michigan. He taught high school science and exercise physiology at McMaster University. He directed the Montreal Olympic Marathon and took a leave of absence from Laurentian University to be Canadian Track and Field Technical Coordinator. He has written two books: "Never Let Go: A Coaching Experience in Academia" (2004 Borealis) and "Chasing" (2004 Borealis).

   Never Let Go follows a young lady weaving her way from Northern Ontario to the streets of Atlanta as an Olympic competitor. When Laurentian University budgetary restrictions leave first year student Cailin Ristimaki bereft of a track coach, she is led to accept guidance from new faculty member Soren Larson. He had been Canadian technical director of cross-country skiing and resigned his position after a contract breach by his Board. Recently separated from his wife, Soren probes his way in his new job but growing exuberance for guiding Cailin's running threatens his quest for tenure and his son´s custody.

Chasing portrays Gavin Gosling´s journey to the Olympic Games in Seoul. When, as a Laurentian University freshman, he sees swimming world-record holder Alex Baumann on campus he begins to ponder his own lackadaisical high school running career, and wonders what he might have accomplished with serious training. He joins varsity track and finds the 3,000-metre steeplechase event a continuation of his youthful passion of hustling through bush and hurling creeks. Running´s self-imposed dedication challenges not only his peer relationships but his very existence.