The Race: The inside track on the ruthless world of elite athletics

by David Gillick

The Race offers an exhilarating, behind-the-scenes look at the cut-throat world of elite athletics. With vivid recall, David Gillick, one of Ireland’s most celebrated 400m sprinters, describes the sacrifices, triumphs and devastating setbacks that define a life spent chasing greatness. From the punishing grind of training camps to the mental anguish of injuries and the darker side of athletics, this memoir captures the intensity of a career defined by fractions of a second.

As an Irish athlete competing against the odds, Gillick recalls the unique challenges of representing a small nation: limited resources, enormous expectations and the constant push to prove you belong among the world’s best. But The Race is more than a story of sport. It’s an exploration of human resilience and the fight to find balance in a life consumed by the pursuit of perfection. It’s about enduring heartbreak, overcoming burnout and discovering who you are when the race is over.

320 pages, Hardcover

Published December 22, 2025

Reviews

[Ronan O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Good honest insight into the lengths it's takes to be an athlete of that level and fighting over fractions of a second and the lows of professional athletes we don't usually see. Enjoyed the later stages especially about the struggles of life after sport and building a new life and identity

Cathal Dennehy is the best sports journalist in the world 👍

[Emily Duignan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read if you'd like to know what the life of an elite athlete is like. Admittedly I found a large part of this book repetitive and not very exciting, but that also speaks to the nature of the sport at that level. The last hundred pages or so were a triumph.

[Micheal Keating · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Gillick was an incredible athlete. To run 44.77, clean, and before carbon spikes and super tracks is mind bending. 'The Race' is a raw insight into a career and mind that belongs at the top of any Irish Sporting All Time list.

With the minimum of support, Gillick chose to measure himself against the world's best and them alone. This brought the perception of disappointment on his behalf to a reader not yet fluent in 400m running where times, on paper, regressed or stated objectives were not hit.

But to win two European Indoor Titles? To run 45 anything with Foot and Mouth at the Olympics? To come within milliseconds of European and World outdoor medals?

As an athlete, I take from this book the courage to measure yourself against the very best, when the only option is to wring yourself of every drop of potential. Once a national title was secured, only international silverware would do. And while it may seem like having that as a realistic goal would be an enviable place to be as an athlete, Gillick never settled nor contemplated the idea.

As a reader, I take this as an account of an incredibly strong person. Someone who knows themselves inside out, accepting that with great ambition comes a voice and an internal drive equally untamed.

Finally, a short anecdote. Having admired Gillick, Hession, O'Rourke and co as a teenager, I took up sprinting in my late twenties. I brazenly messaged David on social media asking for any advice or essentially shortcuts to the top. David not only responded but gave nearly two hours of his time to a novice hanging on every word. His kindness made a lasting impact.

[Ralph Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Gillick was an Irish 400 metre runner who was ranked as one of the best in the world in his event, winning world and European titles and running in the Olympics. He achieved his biggest dreams, yet for many years after retirement struggled with acknowledging how good he had been and what running had given him.

This is his story as a world-class athlete who only understood after he left his career what it all meant and his place in it. He gives some searing insights into what it takes to reach that level, the impact the single-mindedness a world-class athlete requires had on him and those closest to him and what he took from the sport afterwards. It's a tremendous read, full of stories and tales that explain what being one of the best in the world at what you do means.

[Éilis Treacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest and interesting autobiography. A real insight to Irish athletics and the world of professional running. Easy to read and enjoyable to the end.

[Eliz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended read for performance athletes and those around them. The story resonated in so many ways.

[Cathal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read, good insight into his mental and physical struggles during his career.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book of 2026. Quick read this one, local lad done well. Athletics is a bloody cruel sport.

[Aisling Farren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very raw and honest and quite heartbreaking

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5. Quick, easy sports read.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really well articulated & honest account of what it takes to be an elite athlete and how brutal sport can be.