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Running through sand: an ageing comedian's ill-thought-out ultra in the Sahara

2026· 256 pages

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Ageing as a runner is no joke. Paul Tonkinson discovers that in running, as in life, you are gradually overtaken by a stream of young people wearing clothes you couldn't get in to and in shoes you don't recognise. He observes that your relationship with running changes - you no longer run as fast as you can, you run as fast as your body can handle, which is slow. So, embrace it. Why not the toughest footrace on earth? The Marathon Des Sables, a week long, 250kms self-sufficient sweat fest across the Sahara Desert. What could possibly go wrong? While training for the event - calves explode, tendons pop, knees disintegrate. Years come and go, time seems to be running out as the race seems an impossible dream and then, in 2024 when fitness is finally achieved, a freak accident - Paul is run over by dogs, hospitalised, all hope is lost. Spring 2025, the planets align. Tonkinson snags entry to MDS, two months till race time. It's on - the last hurrah.

Genres: Sport
Language: English
Publisher: Bloomsbury Sport
ISBN: 9781399404013

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