Running Beyond Limits: The Adventures of an Ultra Marathon Runner

by Andrew Murray

Andrew Murray has been running since 2005 when he realised that it might be a good way to see a bit of the world. Since then he has been placed first overall in races in the Arctic, the Sahara, Outer Mongolia and the jungle, amongst others. But in 2010 he devised a challenge that put all his previous attempts in the shade - to run from Scotland to the Sahara in one continuous push with no rest days! It is 2,659 miles from John O'Groats at the northern tip of mainland Britain to Merzouga in Morocco and Andrew planned to complete the distance in 85 days. That's the equivalent of 100 marathons run end to end - and not a single day off to recover. With minimal support, and in the middle of winter, trying to run an ultra marathon every day was the challenge of a lifetime for Andrew. As a medic, Andrew knew exactly what that would do to his body...and it wasn't good news. Attempting to cram in a staggering 8,000 calories every day is extremely difficult and doesn't stop the body from beginning to break down. This book is the story of that run, interwoven between tales of extraordinary endurance events in some of the most extreme locations in the world. It answers the question, 'why do it?', and offers a gripping insight into what drives an extreme athlete to break new ground. Helped by family, friends, those he meets along the way, and a fiancee he's shortly to marry, this is the story of one man's determination to run in the history books. Andrew Murray's epic journey was the subject of a highly successful BBC documentary and this book is the inside story of what pushes one man to keep breaking the limits. Even a planned 85 days wasn't enough to satisfy Andrew - in the end he completed the distance in just 78 days. The book is introduced by Sir Ranulf Fiennes.

176 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2011

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

This is Dr. Andrew Murray

Andrew Murray is a Scottish doctor, runner and author who works for the Scottish Government promoting physical activity for health. He became widely known in January 2011 when he completed a 2659 mile run from John O’Groats in far north Scotland to Merzouga, in the Moroccan Sahara desert running an average of over 34 miles for 78 consecutive days.

Reviews

[Alan Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possibly more mind over matter but incredible the base line is a stratospheric fitness level. I suppose you could feel dwarfed by such achievements but hopefully, it will put readers’ own sporting challenges into the why not, it’s possible category.

A quick read but an insight into those who take up such extreme challenges.

[Fiona Houston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring story and full of detail covering the main run and other events. I definitely did a few extra miles of running as a result of reading this book!