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In It for the Long Run
Breaking records and getting FKT
- Paperback
- ISBN: 978-1-83981-043-5256 pages
- Author
- Damian Hall
- Publication date
- 6 May 2021
Please note this is the order page for a first edition copy of the book, sent out by return
‘Damian’s brilliantly written book takes us on his journey to becoming one of the most successful ultrarunners. The reader will get a very vivid sense of Damian’s adventures, alongside his reflections on the global challenges we’re facing today.’ – Kilian Jornet, legendary mountain runner and environmental activist
In It for the Long Run is ultrarunner Damian Hall’s story of running a first marathon aged thirty-six, dressed as a toilet, and representing Great Britain four years later. His midlife-crisis running problem escalated to 100-mile ultramarathons and record-breaking bimbles, culminating in his 261-mile Pennine Way run in July 2020.
In 1989, Mike Hartley set a record/Fastest Known Time (FKT) for the Pennine Way, running Britain’s oldest National Trail in two days and seventeen hours, without stopping for sleep. 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 thirty-four minutes. Then Hall knocked another three hours off Kelly’s time.
Hall used his record-bothering run to highlight concerns for our climate and ecological emergency: his attempt was carbon negative, he created no plastic waste, 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 ‘F F F’, standing for Family, Friends, Future.
Packed with dry wit and humour, In It for the Long Run tells of Hall’s nine-year preparation for his attempt, and of the run itself. He also gives us an autobiographical insight into the deranged, custard-splattered, hedgehog-dodging world of ultramarathon running and record attempts.
This book has been accounted for as Carbon Negative by Our Carbon. Read more in our blog.
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 153mm
- Extent: 256 pages, with one 8pp colour plate
- Cover: Paperback (flaps)
- Weight: 300g
- Retail price: £12.99
Also available as an ebook and audiobook.
‘The remarkable story of how journalist Damian Hall accidentally became one of the world’s best ultrarunners. At turns witty, brutal, honest and moving, it’s a rip-roaring jaunt across endless miles of lumpy trails that leaves you shaking your head at the wonderful madness of it all.’ – Adharanand Finn, author of The Rise of the Ultra Runners
‘This slam-dunk, must-read of a book captures everything that is so incredible about ultrarunning and a life lived to the absolute fullest. Through Damian’s intriguing and entertaining story, we get to experience the rawness, the adventure, the beauty, the despair, the anguish, the exhilaration and the unbridled joy of tacking endurance challenges head-on. It’s a rollercoaster of emotion, of inspiration and ultimately of positivity, and will make you realise that you can achieve your dreams, however crazy they might seem. In it for the Long Run is a book I’ll turn to again and again to remind myself of what the human body and mind really are capable of. Awesome.’ – Chrissie Wellington OBE, four times Ironman World Champion
‘Damian delves deep into the fell-running and ultra community, giving insights into the people and their passion for what they do and what they help others to achieve; but it’s written so that you feel like you’re sitting having a lovely, intimate conversation with Damian over a cup of tea and a macaroon.’ – Nicky Spinks, fell runner and record holder for the three Double Big Rounds
'Join his "bubble", grab your "daps" and pack your "sangers" and tag along with Damian's skullduggerous antics as he rises through the ranks detailing a warts-and-all account of his journey from a misfit teenager to a husband, father, multiple record holder, podium placer, GB runner, climate-change activist and sponsored athlete. Less like a slog along the Pennine Way and more a wonderfully glorious and at times moving Alpine romp up mountain and down valley. At times I found myself laughing out loud, and at other times trying to prevent my eyes from unwittingly leaking salty water. Damian is wonderful, his writing is honest, stomach-churning (the graphic snot description clashed with my spinach soup), challenging, modest and humble. He takes us on a journey from his "Super Toilet Man" days as he dips his toes into the distance-running world, to his graduation as one of the most accomplished, kindest and most renowned ultrarunners in the world. He doesn't shy away from the proud and not-so-proud moments, and clearly tussles with his running obsession and role as a parent and husband, his impact on the environment, and our wobbly and uncertain ecological future; but throughout the narrative there comes this marvellously dirty, sweaty, hurty ode to the world of ultrarunning.' – Ellie Green, Summit Fever Media
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