The London Marathon: The History of the Greatest Race On Earth

by John Bryant

This salute to the 25 years of the London Marathon explores the physical and mental challenges at the heart of marathon running, beginning with the author standing on the start line at London’s first marathon in 1981. It’s a story of dreams, pain, struggle and achievement.

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good this, although the glowing references to Jimmy Saville do tend to date it somewhat!

[Chema · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy bien escrito y lleno de anécdotas y personajes. De lo mejor que se puede leer antes de correr un maratón.

[Miriam Elliot · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was dated, being a very old book but still an enjoyable read.

[Christian Gillibrand · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting insight into this great event

[Ginette Pilkington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of fascinating facts, but needs an update as we are approaching the 40th London Marathon

[Ci · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to read chronicle of London Marathon as well as Marathon itself in the modern age. It contains many funny and useful anecdotes of people who have been participated in various form in this sport. Some of them are crazy and even criminal, yet they are united in their obsession in a sport that seems to exist only as a touting challenging to human's endurance of pain and suffering. I don't think that Marathon is a "fitness" exercise, but a form of activities that provokes our innate sense of conquering obstacles. It is a public and private venue for confronting our limitations thus stimulating our sense of defiance.

The style of the writing is factual with particular eyes for funny and unusual details. In addition, it does contain useful technical discussions about shoes, postures, injuries and preventions. For people who have eyes for a marathon sometime at least once in their lifetime (such is me), this book can serve as a reminder, a gentle goading voice whispering for us to join "the magnificent obsession".

[Robin Fox]

I read this around the time I ran the London Marathon. I recommend that to get the maximum enjoyment out of it.

This is a book to which every runner will be able to relate. It contains a history of the Marathon going not just back to 1981, but to ancient Greece. Yet this is no dull history textbook. The personal stories of the great, the good the not so good and the downright bizarre ensure that every page is packed with humour.

Even non-runners will enjoy reading it

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

What it's all about :-)

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Includes interesting history and tales on the London Marathon.