<P> James Fuller `` Jim '' Fixx ( April 23 , 1932 -- July 20 , 1984 ) was an American who authored the 1977 best - selling book The Complete Book of Running . He is credited with helping start America 's fitness revolution , popularizing the sport of running and demonstrating the health benefits of regular jogging . He died of a heart attack while jogging at 52 years of age . His genetic predisposition for heart problems and other previous lifestyle factors may have caused his heart attack . </P>
<P> James Fuller `` Jim '' Fixx ( April 23 , 1932 -- July 20 , 1984 ) was an American who authored the 1977 best - selling book The Complete Book of Running . He is credited with helping start America 's fitness revolution , popularizing the sport of running and demonstrating the health benefits of regular jogging . He died of a heart attack while jogging at 52 years of age . His genetic predisposition for heart problems and other previous lifestyle factors may have caused his heart attack . </P>
famous marathon runner who died of a heart attack
famous marathon runner who died of a heart attack
James Fuller `` Jim '' Fixx
James Fuller `` Jim '' Fixx