Hal Higdon began running as a student at U-High (the Lab School) in Chicago, continued running at Carleton College in Minnesota, where he won conference championships, and continued after school, running 8 times in the Olympic Trials. His best finish was 5th place at the 1960 Trials in the 3000 meter steeplechase, and he also placed 5th in the 1964 Boston Marathon (first American) in 2:21:55. His greatest success came after turning 40, competing as a masters athlete, winning four World Masters Championships. His M40 record of 9:18.6 in the steeplechase (set in 1975) is the oldest American masters records in the books.

Higdon is best-known for his training programs at distances from 5-K to the marathon, available both on his website, www.halhigdon.com and interactive through TrainingPeaks, also with apps from Bluefin.