Run For Your Life: A Yearlong Journey Asking Why We Run

by Konrad Marshall

Understanding the mindset of someone who voluntarily runs regularly is what journalist and sports writer, Konrad Marshall, has explored in Run For Your Life , both by taking up running himself  – committing to run every single day for a whole year, no excuses – and talking to and running with some of Australia’s most interesting runners – whether professional or casual runners – from Gout Gout to Grace Tame to Olympians and doctors. With his nose for a story, Konrad gathers the lessons learned as he runs with others on sporting fields, in marathons, on beaches and country trails, and discovers what tested their resolve, the relationships that developed, and the importance running is to their lives.

He includes chapters with Grace Tame, Trent Dalton, Gout Gout, Jelena Dokic, Jessica Hull, Andy Griffiths, Emma Carney, Libby Birch, Jack Riewoldt, Peter Bol, Steve Moneghetti, Nedd Brockmann, Hugh Van Cuylenburg among others.

Konrad shares the collective wisdom of the people who run, in a deeply reported first-person account of a year in constant motion.
 

Genres: Nonfiction

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 28, 2026

Reviews

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one and didn’t really want it to end. Some interesting subjects joined Konrad for a run, some of which who weren’t really in my orbit. Enjoyed learning about everyone’s unique take on why they run and the common threads between them all. Also loved all the mentions of runs I’ve done.

[Dragonf1y · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was borrowed from my son as something lighter after reading assorted thriller, murder mystery and heavy drama for book club. I enjoyed it far more than I expected. I have no interest in running myself but live in a household with a current runner and a former runner. I've never asked why people run, why do people do anything? They enjoy it. But there is more to it than that and I found it quite thought provoking as I was drawn into the more complex feelings behind the compulsion to run. To my surprise, I also found it inspiring and though I don't run, some of the same feeling can be attached to any solitary activity that involves movement, walking, kayaking, surfing, swimming. It is solitary but also has a community. The solitary nature of it gives you time to think and decompress from or prepare for the day. It can often fill a spiritual void. The author sets each scene beautifully and the interviews are engaging, each one with a different point of view so there's no tiring repetition.

[Trent Bowes · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I bought this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect. As someone who runs, reading books about running is always high on the priority list. I really enjoyed this book. It is very much a journey, where a goal to run every day is set, and you want to keep reading to find out whether he achieves that goal. The discussions that Konrad has with other runners are insightful and add great context to the mindset that a runner needs to have. I thoroughly enjoyed conversations with Jess Hull, Peter Bol and Gout Gout. The ending is wrapped up neatly, and I would be interested to know whether the author continued to run. I certainly hope so! Would recommend and would read again.

[Jan Lancaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 2024, at age 45 and 117kg journalist/writer Marshall decided to run every day for a year.
The book includes interviews (often done while running) with people such as Moneghetti, Grace Tame, Gout Gout, Jelena Dokic and Trent Dalton.
I am not a runner but found it interesting, especially as he delves in to the reasons people run, and keep running!
You will have to read the book to see if the author succeeded in his aim.

[Alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy to read book about running that’s motivating and not pretentious, how good

[Adam Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a runner, this book was an indulgence. I love talking about running, but loved reading about the stores of a range of people who have running in their lives.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of running stories, mainly short snippets of interviews with people who run often.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding book, told with honesty, heart and relatability. Konrad's prose and exploration of the topic and people he meets is effortless, insightful and vivid. Whether someone is a keen runner, just starting out, or is just 'running curious', there's an anecdote and an experience to find and relate to in this book. But even if you're not a runner, even if the idea of running offends, there's elements of life's experiences, or friendship, hardship and fellowship in these pages that are relatable and valuable reading. Or put another way, this is a book about running, but not a book only for runners.