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Running Through Sand: An Ageing Comedian’s Ill-Thought-Out Ultra in the Sahara
Not yet published
Expected 21 Jul 26This hilarious and philosophical exploration of running and ageing sees comedian and award-winning writer Paul Tonkinson take on an ultra-marathon through the heart of the Sahara Desert.
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 into and in shoes you don't recognize. 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, 250 km self-sufficient sweat fest across the Sahara Desert. What could possibly go wrong?
Turns out… lots. 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, hospitalized, 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. Get the gear down from the attic, apply the toe jelly and find that mandatory whistle.
With such little time to train, he can't compete anymore, that's for sure – the question is more basic – can he possibly finish?
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 into and in shoes you don't recognize. 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, 250 km self-sufficient sweat fest across the Sahara Desert. What could possibly go wrong?
Turns out… lots. 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, hospitalized, 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. Get the gear down from the attic, apply the toe jelly and find that mandatory whistle.
With such little time to train, he can't compete anymore, that's for sure – the question is more basic – can he possibly finish?
256 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication July 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 21, 2026
I was expecting a really funny story about running through the desert in your fifties. And it is funny, but what surprised me most was what a thoughtful and philosophical book it is, about how we runners feel as we age and inevitably slow down, the self-doubt we face, the guilt at the selfishness of endeavours we take on, and why we challenge ourselves.
This is one of the most relatable running books I’ve read in a long time. In a similar life stage to Paul, I’m taking on my own endurance challenge soon and I’d recommend this to any midlife runners wondering if they can still do hard things.
It also paints a really vivid picture of what it’s really like to spend 7 days moving through the Sahara - fascinating stuff!
This is one of the most relatable running books I’ve read in a long time. In a similar life stage to Paul, I’m taking on my own endurance challenge soon and I’d recommend this to any midlife runners wondering if they can still do hard things.
It also paints a really vivid picture of what it’s really like to spend 7 days moving through the Sahara - fascinating stuff!
Displaying 1 of 1 review