- Coming Soon
In It for the Long Run
Breaking records and getting FKT
- Author
- Damian Hall
- Publication date
- 6 May 2021
In It for the Long Run is ultrarunner Damian Hall’s story of his Pennine Way record attempt in July 2020.
In July 1989, Mike Hartley set the Fastest Known Time (FKT) record for the Pennine Way, running Britain’s oldest National Trail in a little over two days and seventeen hours. He didn’t stop to sleep, but did break for fifteen minutes for fish and chips. Hartley’s record stood for thirty-one years, until two attempts were made on it in two weeks in the summer of 2020.
First, American John Kelly broke Hartley’s record by less than an hour, then Hall knocked another two hours off Kelly’s time. Hall used his record attempt to highlight environmental issues: his attempt was carbon negative, he used no plastics, and he and his pacing runners collected litter as they went, while also raising money for Greenpeace. A vegan, Hall used no animal products on his attempt. Scrawled on his arm in permanent marker was ‘FFF’, signifying the three things that matter most to him: Family, Friends, Future.
Packed with dry wit and humour, In It for the Long Run tells of Hall’s four-year preparation for his attempt, and of the run itself. He also gives us an autobiographical insight into the deranged world of midlife crisis ultramarathon running and record attempts.
Damian Hall is a record-breaking ultrarunner who has represented Great Britain and competed in some of the world’s toughest races, including the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc. His attempt to break into the top 10 at the UTMB, probably the most competitive 100-mile race in the world, was made into a film – Underdog. In addition to his 2020 Pennine Way record, he holds numerous other British records, including the Fastest Known Times (FKTs) for the Paddy Buckley Round in winter, the Cape Wrath Trail (with Beth Pascall) and the South West Coast Path. He is a UK Athletics running coach and a widely published journalist who contributes regularly to magazines such as Women’s Running, Runner’s World and Trail Running Magazine. He has written several books, including the official National Trail guide to the Pennine Way, Walking in the Cotswolds and A Year on the Run.
- Title: In It for the Long Run
- Subtitle: Breaking records and getting FKT
- Author: Damian Hall
- Imprint: Vertebrate Publishing
- ISBN: 978-1-83981-043-5
- Rights: World
- Publication date: 6 May 2021
- Edition: First
- Size: 234mm x 156mm
- Extent: 192 pages, with one 8pp colour plate
- Cover: Paperback (flaps)
- Weight: 300g
- Retail price: £12.99
Also coming soon as an ebook and audiobook.