Running Through Sand: An Ageing Comedian’s Ill-Thought-Out Ultra in the Sahara

by Paul Tonkinson

This 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?

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

Published July 21, 2026

Reviews

[George]

Want to run marathon de sables. Now

[Michelle]

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!

[Mob Razor]

Audiobook. This was a disappointment because I was expecting to really like it. A comedian who takes up ultra running is right up my alley. I just couldn’t get into it. TBH possibly was related to the accent of the narrator as I had a hard time understanding him at times. I had to concentrate deeply to really understand what was happening and that’s just not the way I consume audiobooks. It might be very good for others but I just couldn’t get into it. Unfortunately

[Anji Andrews]

I rarely read books about running any more. I wrote one after all. But this was just fabulous. It was so good I read the majority of it in one day. It’s so entertaining you feel like Tonk has dragged you along for the ride, so insightful you feel like you’ve been there with him. A funny, witty, deep and insightful book. I adored it.

[Ian Deslow]

Thoroughly enjoyable read. And coming at the right time for me as I’m also about to take on another ultramarathon and entered the final year of my forties 🫣

I’ve followed Paul’s journey via the podcast he does, and social media so was good to get my hands on the actual book he’s talked about!

Not only a story but also gives meaning as to why people do these adventures and escapades

[Eliza]

I hadn’t heard of Paul before reading the book, which might of made it a different reading experience🤣
I enjoyed this book a lot, it was easy to read and was structured well.

[Benjamin Dean]

Full sables hilarious 👌🏻