Did Not Sleep: An Attempt at Running 100 Miles on the South Downs Way

by George Mahood

In this funny, photo-packed short read (11,000 words), George Mahood and his partner, Rachel, take on their longest run a 100-mile ultramarathon along the chalk ridges of the South Downs Way. From blazing sunshine to long hours of darkness, the cut-off clock never stops.

This is ultra running at its most excruciating blisters, emergency toilet stops in the bushes, too many crisps, dodgy stomachs, and the creeping realisation that signing up may have been a spectacularly stupid idea. There are meltdowns, feet so sore that every step hurts, stubborn cows, and the lift only the camaraderie of other runners – and the kindness of amazing volunteers – can give.

It’s also a celebration of the South Downs Way and the best of the English countryside.

Told with dry humour and clear, honest detail about pacing, fuelling and mindset, Did Not Sleep is perfect for fans of trail running, endurance challenges, and true – to – life race stories you can finish in a sitting or two. The outcome – finish line or DNF – hangs in the balance right to the final pages.

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2025

About the author

George Mahood is an award-winning writer. Specifically, he was placed third in the Little Brington Village Fete's limerick competition (Under 10s category) in 1988. It was the same year that Mrs Marriott's legendary fruit loaf was beaten in the WI cake contest for the first time in six years.

George studied Communication Studies and English Literature at Leeds University. After spending a year travelling in the USA (with clothes and money), he worked for several years in a variety of jobs including charity fund-raising and garlic bread making. He currently works as a photographer, specialising in weddings. George has been the lead singer and guitarist of a rubbish band and the chairman and midfielder of an awful Sunday-league football team.

George has plenty more madcap ideas that will form the basis of future books. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook to keep in touch, see more photos from FREE COUNTRY, and to hear about future projects.

www.facebook.com/georgemahood
www.twitter.com/georgemahood

Reviews

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Am I glad we did it? Absolutely.’ – A journey shared

British author George Mahood earned his degree in Communication Studies and English Literature from Leeds University, traveled the US, and has served as a charity fund-raiser, a wedding photographer, lead singer and guitarist of a band, and ‘the chairman and midfielder of an awful Sunday-league football team.’ His wit is infectious! His books to date include NOT TONIGHT JOSEPHINE: A ROAD TRIP THROUGH SMALL TOWN AMERICA, OPERATION IRONMAN: ONE MAN’S FOUR MONTH JOURNEY FROM HOSPITAL BED TO IRONMAN TRIATHLON, FREE COUNTRY: A PENNILESS ADVENTURE THE LENGTH OF BRITAIN, EVERY DAY IS A HOLIDAY, LIFE’S A BEACH and now this DNF (Did Not Finish) series includes DID NOT SLEEP.

George launches his new book with some background info: ‘Attempting a 100-mile run has been high on my bucket list for the last few years. Actually, ‘bucket list’ Is the wrong term. That implies it’s something I’d desperately wanted to do. It was more like I had a curious desire to see what it was like. And to see if I could.’ And with that startup this engaging book delivers color photographs of the George and his wife and the English countryside in a witty, humorous, and wholly entertaining manner – an invitation to readers to join the in the spirit!

[Mickey Eckert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read, entertaining and inspiring...

[John Pitcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew..!!

I feel as if I was also running with George and Rachel, but thankfully I was doing it from the comfort of my chair.