John Hanc is a writer specializing in fitness, active sports and local history. A contributing editor to Runner's World magazine and the former, long-time running and fitness columnist for Newsday, his work has also appeared in The New York Times, AARP Bulletin, Family Circle, The Boston Globe Sunday Magazine, Men's Fitness, Smithsonian and Yoga Journal.

Hanc's 8th book is The Coolest Race on Earth: Mud, Madmen, Glaciers and Grannies at the Antarctica Marathon (Chicago Review Press, January, 2008). His previous books include, Jones Beach: An Illustrated History, Racing for Recovery: From Addict to Ironman, (co-authored with Todd Crandell), The Essential Runner and Running For Dummies (co-authored with the late Florence Griffith Joyner).

Hanc is also an associate professor of journalism at New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury, where he has won several teaching awards. A graduate of Emerson College in Boston, he received his master's degree at the journalism school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Himself a fitness devotee and marathon runner, Hanc has competed in long-distance races around the world. He completed his 25th marathon, in Dublin, Ireland, in October, 2008.