The London Marathon

Oct 3, 2024 2:29 AM

Author:John Bryant

The London Marathon

'If you want to win something, run 100 metres. If you want to experience something, run a marathon' - Emil Zatopek

The London Marathon salutes 25 years of the London Marathon by exploring the incredible physical and mental challenge that lies at the very heart of marathon running. It begins with the author standing on the start line at Blackheath for the very first London Marathon in March 1981. And it ends 26 miles and 25 years later, as the author emerges, still running, past Buckingham Palace and on through the miles and memories to the finish.

From the legend of Pheidippides and the mystery of Spiridon Louis - who won the first modern Olympic marathon in 1896 - to the agony of Paula Radcliffe, reduced to tears on the long road to Athens more than a century later, this is a story of dreams, pain, struggle and achievement. The courage and the craziness of the characters who for 25 years have run the streets of London, have turned this race into the greatest marathon in the world.

The London Marathon is a testament to their endeavour, and to the spirit that leads them each spring to tackle their own suburban Everest. This is their story.

Reviews

The best of many books on the subject I have ever read

—— Daily Mail

Hugely readable and occasionally hilarious ... Bryant is also very good at capturing the essential motivations of the marathon runner ... My guess is that this book will inspire countless others to seek out that marathon entry form themselves

—— Daily Telegraph

Every marathon runner is touched by a peculiar madness, and Bryant's empathy with their affliction comes from the heart

—— Sunday Times

Gripping ... Tom English has interviewed all the main protagonists to produce a richly textured picture of the build-up, the day itself and the aftermath

—— Independent

5 stars. An epic tale of clashing personalities. The Grudge puts you right on the touchline as the English and Scottish teams go to war.

—— Simon Briggs , Daily Telegraph

English has written a marvellous book, in its way as gripping as that season and the match itself

—— Scottish Review of Books

A potentially award-winning book. It's a terrific bit of work, as engaging as the day itself was.

—— Mick Cleary , Daily Telegraph

A remarkable and compulsive re-enactment over 235 pages of the day Scotland confounded all expectation to win

—— Paul Ackford

A priceless read ... quite outstanding

—— Robert Kitson , The Guardian

If you haven't bought Tom English's book about the 1990 match - The Grudge - then do yourself a favour and get it now. It's terrific

—— Alex Massie , Spectator

Tom English's excellent book, The Grudge, revisits an occasion when sport and politics and ancient rivalry came together

—— Chris Foy , Daily Mail

True tales: great stuff

—— Frank Keating , The Guardian

Shudderingly good ... English has a rare talent for getting to the core of a person

—— Rugby World

Thatcherite politics and rugby come crashing into contact in this rich and textured account

—— i

The perfect present for any rugby fan. It shows the goldfish-bowl aspect to life as a modern-day sporting legend and gives an insight into what it's like on the inside looking out

—— Irish Independent

Whether you are a rugby fan or not, this book is likely to please... This honest autobiography will provide an intriguing read for the Christmas period

—— South Tipp Today

Compelling reading

—— Richard Fitzpatrick , Irish Examiner

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