| It's probably Britain's most obscure sport. It's certainly its maddest. But fell-running - the practice of racing up and down trackless mountains in all weathers - is also one of the last sports to remain utterly true to its roots. In this evocative account of a season in the fells, Richard Askwith explores fell-running in the most authentic way: by putting on his studded boots and running as many of the great races as possible, from Borrowdale to Ben Nevis.In the process, he not only endures the stamina-sapping agonies of going up and the bone-breaking terror of hurtling back down, but also encounters the sport's all-time greats: athletes of astounding endurance and tenacity, yet unknown outside their own valleys. And ultimately his own obsession drives him to the toughest challenge: the Bob Graham Round - a non-stop circuit of 42 of the Lake District's highest peaks, to be completed within 24 hours...',A minor masterpiece.' Sunday Times',Sports book of the season - a terrific story of fell-running and obsession.'Blake MorrisonGuardian'Imagine how strange it feels not only to have read a book about fell-running, but to have enjoyed it so much that I am now contemplating trying the sport myself...a lovely little book'. Annalisa Barbieri, New Statesman(Annalisa BarbieriNew Statesman)Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year, the Boardman-Tasker Prize and awarded the prize for Best New Writer at the British Sports Publishing Awards, Richard Askwith's book on Fell Running was acclaimed as one of the best sports books of the year in 2005. |
