​The classic, the original, the one everyone has heard of. Yep, like many others this was the first running book I read that didn't involve pace calculations and training plans. I was instantly hooked, and eagerly sought out further adventure stories (as you can see by this list here). When I read it I had recently returned from a holiday to Mexico, visiting the Copper Canyon and meeting the Tarahumara people, but I had no idea of the famous running tribe living in the area. It would have changed my outlook immensely. But back to the book - the people, the adventures, and snippets of running history and the build up to one of the great unknown showdowns engrossed me from start to finish. While I'm not ready to adopt the barefoot running craze, or commence a pinole diet, it did inspire me to get out into nature more often and just run for the sake of running. The only thing that grated me was the author's depiction of Ann Trason. She is one of the greatest female ultrarunners of all time and deserved to be treated better than she was. Aside from this, it is still one of the best running books I have read.

What a legend Lizzy Hawker is! I didn't know much about her before reading this book, but she has achieved some phenomenal feats. Lizzy seemed to accidentally fall into running in her twenties, coming from relative obscurity to win the famous UTMB. And not just once: five times, a record that still stands today. She has set world records, has held numerous fastest known times on trails around the world, and generally just seems to be born to run. She talks a lot about her personal life, where she achieved a PhD in physical oceanography and carried a job that wasn't necessarily conducive to running (can you imagine training on a ship in Antarctica for months at a time?). The story is a bit disjointed and I started to tune out in the last section where it becomes more philosophical, but her adventures inspire me dream big and never give up.

​Is there anything this man can't do? Winning Western States 100 an insane seven times is just the tip of the iceberg. But this book isn't just about running (and eating) - it's about who he is as a person, his relationships, his motivations, his struggles. Don't read this looking for a training plan and running drills, read this book for someone who could achieve the extraordinary and open up the idea of endurance athletes thriving on a plant-based diet to the world. The writing is simple and boastful, and he comes across as a bit of a douche at times, but you can't deny that he is one of the best and he deserves to have his story told. With a few vegan recipes thrown in too there is something for everyone in this book.​

​I'm pretty sure this woman is living most athlete's dream. Just your average swimmer growing up, never looked like sport was going to be a major part of her life until out of nowhere she discovered she could run and cycle too. Before she knew it, she was the Ironman world champion. Wouldn't it be great to discover a hidden talent that you just happen to do better than anyone else? Her training sounded like a nightmare though, and the bitchiness between training partners I could do without. An easy, fascinating read that draws you in to all her highs and lows over the years. 

​From one of the biggest names in ultrarunning today, you know this is going to be an epic story. He started out at a young age, crossing the Pyrenees with his parents as a child, and from that moment on his entire life seemed to be dedicated to outdoor adventure. His love of nature and the pure act of running clearly shines through, and his ability to push his body to extremes others can only dream of is mind-blowing. I didn't learn how to be a better ultrarunner by reading this book, there were no running tips or exercise plans, but that's not what I wanted as I read his story. I wanted an adventure, and that's what I got. I just hope he writes a follow up to recount all of his achievements since this book was published in 2013.

​What an adventure! Running over 3000 km along the length of New Zealand is incredible in anyone's book, but doing it unsupported carrying a 14+ kg backpack every day is insane. I couldn't put the book down as I was gripped by the highs and lows of her journey, astounded that she made it through the harsh and inhospitable conditions. Her warm and social personality shone through, which I didn't fully relate to - I'm as shy as they come around strangers. But thanks to this book the Te Araroa Trail is now on my bucket list as a place to explore one day (although I'm not sure about the whole 14 kg on the back part).  

​What do you do when you're almost forty, an alcoholic, overweight, and so unfit you can barely climb a set of stairs? You become vegan and start training for an Ultraman (that would be a DOUBLE Ironman). And if that wasn't enough, how about the EPIC5: five Ironman triathlons on five of Hawaii's islands in a week. Crazy? You bet. But the transformation he achieved (eventually being crowned one of the fittest men on earth) goes to show that anyone can do it and it is never too late. This book is part athletic achievements and part plant-based diet guide. As a fairly new vegan when I read this it quickly converted me to breakfast smoothies, a ritual that I continue to this day. As soon as I moved to Asia one of my first purchases was a decent blender. I don't go in for the exotic ingredients Roll seems keen on promoting, but I always look forward to my first meal of the day (I never said that when I was eating Weetbix for breakfast). While recipes weren't included (you can check out his other books for these), there is a lengthy resources section at the back for further information. If you can get past the frequent sales pitches for every other product Roll sells, you will find one inspirational story that is definitely worth a read.

​This is more of a coffee table book than a detailed autobiography, but the breathtaking photos make it worth the purchase. Her race/climbing recaps provided a unique insight into courses I will never experience myself, and her positivity shines through on the pages. The poor editing made for awkward reading at times, and I could have done without the recipe and yoga sections (which seemed to take up as much of the book as her life story). A simple, practical book that left me immensely jealous of her carefree lifestyle, but I wish I had learned a little more about who Emelie Forsberg is and where she came from.

​When a booking titled "Running Man" opens with a chapter of the author in a prison cell, you know you're in for one fascinating adventure. After battling a decade-long alcohol and drug addiction that led to more than one brush with death, Engle found running to be a key part of his recovery. He quickly discovered that marathons weren't enough - he had to go after the most extreme endurance events. Running across the Sahara: check. Running/cycling across America: check. Not even a 16 month stint in jail could slow him down. Each chapter provided another of his monumental feats that kept me captivated page after page. Well written, fast-paced, inspiring.

Before I read this book, Deena Kastor was just a famous American marathon runner, but I soon discovered that she is so much more than that. The champion of numerous races and holder of several U.S. records, she started out her professional career as a cross-country star before even considering running a marathon. I found her story fascinating, and I was intrigued by the different tactics she used to overcome her competitors. Deena often discussed the mental side of her training and racing, some of which I found a bit airy-fairy, but other ideas I could see being practical. At the end she lists several positive psychology strategies others can use in any aspect of their life, which may be useful for some. It is amazing how privileged elite athletes are, but despite these advantages I think Deena Kastor is a woman who was born to excel in running.

​Amazing man. Amazing achievements. 100% jealous of what he has accomplished in the field of ultrarunning. But the self-indulgent tone throughout the book was difficult to look past. It was an easy, quick read, highlighting triumph after triumph of superhuman feat that made me feel substandard for not being able to go out the door today and run 226 miles non-stop. He absolutely deserves to share his story, and many will enjoy the ride. Am I glad I read it? Yes. Will I read it again? Probably not.

​Terri is an ultra-endurance machine! She has covered almost every endurance sport there is and never ceases to push herself to the extreme. I am absolutely in awe of what she has accomplished, and loved the journey she took me on as she recounted just a handful of her adventures. In between the narratives, however, were all the life lessons she has learned along the way. I can see how others would be interested in these, but I found myself tuning out when they inevitably popped up in each chapter. I don't need to get into the psychology of her life, I just want the action. Still, it was an inspiring read.

​Fell running. Something I know absolutely nothing about, which made it really hard for me to get into this book. I can see why the book is so highly rated, but the continuous lists of people and places that have zero meaning to me had my mind wandering on every other page. The author's personal quest to finish the Bob Graham round was captivating, as well as his first hand race reports, and these were the only reasons I continued reading until the end. If you're a fell runner or in any way interested in the sport, then you should definitely grab a copy. If not, you're probably not the target audience for this book.

​This book reminded me a lot of Born to Run. The author frequently switched between present day running tales and the history of some aspect related to running or fitness, much in the same way that Christopher McDougall did in his acclaimed book. In Running Free, Askwith is taking a stand against "Big Running" (i.e. the commercialisation of the sport) and encouraging us to get back to what running is supposed to be about - nature, community, no fancy gear, no pressure. In the middle of all this he explains the pros and cons of obstacle course racing, the backstory of the Hash House Harriers, and why Park Run has sold out. These informative chapters were interesting, but what drew me in were the descriptions of his running adventures, often with his dog Nutmeg, in the rugged English countryside. I'm not ready to abandon all my creature comforts (I like the cushioning in my shoes and my moisture-wicking tops) but I appreciate the message he is trying to get across: running should be about what happens to you on the inside, not what is forced on us from the outside. 

​What is the secret that makes the Kenyans the best runners in the world? The author is determined to find out, so he picks up his life and takes his family from England to Iten, Kenya (a.k.a. running mecca) for six months. Finn trained as the locals did and investigated numerous theories as to why the Kenyans dominate this sport. He applied many of the lessons learnt to his own running, with the final goal of completing a sub 3-hour marathon. In the end his conclusion to their secret is a bit of a letdown, but this doesn't detract from the insight he gives us into the everyday life of an Kenyan runner. This book is more of a diary of Finn's experiences while in Kenya, rather than an analysis of the Kenyan running culture or the inherent poverty that obviously runs deep within the community (although these themes do come up). I didn't find myself wanting to move to Kenya after reading this story, but I did enjoy reading about a life far different from my own.

​I was gripped when I commenced this book - the times that Japanese runners have been achieving in local races blew me away. And the idea of competing in ekiden relays, a sport I knew almost nothing about, captivated me. I loved reading about the family's transition to living in Japan, something I can relate to after living in three Asian countries, and I found myself nodding my head at the unusual cultural differences you only see when you truly immerse yourself in a foreign land. But after a while my interest faded. A large chunk of the book seemed to list ekiden after ekiden, and they all rolled into one for me. Although they were broken up by intriguing anecdotes, I was longing to get to the end so I didn't have to read about another race competed by athletes I had never heard of representing companies that meant nothing to me. I felt awful that bad luck prevented the author from fulfilling his dream at the end of this journey, but I'm glad he (sort of) made amends once he returned to England. The conclusions he drew about Japanese running provide some thought-provoking ideas, and it makes me wonder if we will see more of a dominance of Japanese runners in the coming decades as old theories are replaced with new training principles.  

Who, at the age of 57, decides they're going to pack up their life to run around the entire world for five years? Rosie, that's who. In a tribute to her late husband, Rosie sets out on this unbelievable mission where she survives -65°C Siberia (requiring seven layers of thermals and four sleeping bags!), being held up at knife point, frostbite, getting hit by a bus, and several animal encounters. But what shines through is the kindness and generosity of strangers, who far outnumber those who try to bring her down. While her story is incredible, her writing lets her down. I found myself getting frustrated at the constant thanking of people and sponsors, making it feel like one long acknowledgements section. I wanted to read about the day-to-day adventures and the physical and mental challenges she overcame, not who flew out to give her a free pair of shoes. But if you can look past this, you'll find a great tale here.

​"Imagine running 84 marathons. Consecutively." Umm, nope, can't do it. This wasn't the first book I read on the Appalachian Trail and like the initial story I indulged in, this one had me longing to fly to the States to see the route for myself. Each chapter gave an account of a section from both Scott's and his wife's perspective, which provided an interesting insight into the unimaginable feat. Clearly emotions were running high throughout the exhausting experience, and there was no attempt to cover up how both parties broke down from over the weeks. Like Jurek's first book, the writing from both parties was very simplistic, making for a quick read. If you want to know what it takes to set the Fastest Known Time on a seriously long trail (including dealing with the doubters), then this is the book for you.

​I think I was in the wrong section of the bookstore - this is definitely more of a history book than a running tale. And the story it told wasn’t particularly captivating (or easy to follow) until I reached the last quarter of the book. The plot jumped around all over the place, the dozens of characters were impossible to keep track of, and the frequent allusions to an amazing “special diet” and to the power of “natural movement” was infuriating. These two themes were actually the most interesting part of the book, but they only expanded on in detail briefly right at the end. Also, the link between these topics and the central story about kidnapping a German General on Crete was tenuous at best. If you are a World War II history buff you will love this adventure. If not, it wouldn't be my first recommendation for a running book.

Murakami is one of those people who have a fascinating life, the type you could talk to for hours and be captivated by all the stories he has to tell. One of those stories is about running. Like Muramaki, I feel at times like I live to run. When I run, everything else in life is easier. It's my alone time with my thoughts, it sets me up for the day. It keeps me sane. Murakami is not trying to convince anyone that running is the answer to their problems, but rather he was sharing what has worked for him.

I don't usually go in for the reflective, philosophical-style books, and I often forget the story as soon as I have read it. This was no exception. However because the subject-matter was so close to heart I found that I enjoyed parts of it while I was reading it. I think I will value it more in 10-20 years time, as a large chunk of the story concerns the effects of aging on his running. It's not at the top of my must-read list, but many will appreciate the author's sentiment.