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Andy Sheehan Celebrates Father's Book Ahead Of Pittsburgh Marathon

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) --- KDKA's Andy Sheehan ran in the Boston Marathon. He is also training for a "half marathon" here in Pittsburgh this weekend.

It's been an eventful few months for Sheehan as he's also celebrating the anniversary edition of a runners' classic written by his pioneering father.

Dr. George Sheehan ran the Boston race 21 times. Years later, Andy followed his father's footsteps.

The bombs went off minutes after he crossed the finish line, on Patriot's Day.

"To have that kind of celebration of American freedom really destroyed that day, was just really heartbreaking," Andy says.

The day also marked the 35th anniversary edition of Dr. Sheehan's bestseller, "Running and Being."

"This running boom hit in the mid-seventies and it was explosive," Andy recalls. "And he was at the forefront of the whole thing."

Though the author started running at the age of 45, his words and deeds would soon be echoed by millions.

"My father knew that people weren't going to just go and run because it was good for them," Andy says. "It had to be fun. In his word, play."

Dr. Sheehan shared that experience until he passed away, 20 years ago. His words and his legacy still resonate.

Andy Sheehan says, "It's just a testament to America becoming fit, and America sort of heeding this clarion call to get off the couch and get out on the streets."

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