Marathon Man: One Man, One Year, 370 Marathons

by Rob Young

Marathon Man  is a truly remarkable book that will inspire all who read it to know that they can take on the biggest challenges in their lives and overcome them. It all began when Rob's fiancee, exasperated as he sat slumped in front of the television watching the London marathon, bet him 20p that he'd never complete even one such race. Watching the 40,000 competitors as they raised over £53 million for charity, Rob decided to take things a little bit further. Despite never having run a marathon before, he set out to achieve an astonishing new he would run more than 365 marathons in a year. So it was that Marathon Man UK was born. 
     This book not only tells the incredible story of Young's quest, during which he broke numerous world records, but also provides vital lessons in how to motivate yourself to achieve your goals and essential tips (learned the very hard way) in how to run and keep on going. He takes the reader on a vivid journey through some of the most beautiful scenery, as they join him in some of the toughest marathons and ultra-marathons in the UK. After suffering horrendous abuse as a child, Young has developed a determination that few can match. It enabled him to complete 370 marathons in the year and to win the Race Across USA (competing with a group of elite marathon-runners) by 30 hours. As Paula Radcliffe 'This is amazing!'  Marathon Man  shows exactly why and how he achieved it.

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2016

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Robert Young is a complete fraud. In the book, he repeatedly exaggerates his (unverified) claims. This is nothing more than a collection of attention-seeking lies.

Young was recently dropped by his sponsor due to cheating during his Trans-America run. He was caught riding inside his support vehicle for much of the time (especially at night) instead of actually running. Fraud not only shines a negative light on a sport I dearly love, it steals from the real athletes. That's sick.

This book is nothing but rubbish. If you want inspiration, I suggest reading a book written by someone who actually runs (and does not commit fraud).

[Sharon Bartlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cant help thinking you need to read this with a pinch of salt!

[Rob Davies · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately a sad fraud.
only read IF you are interested in that side of humanity.
At first i started reading this book with awe and somewhat inspiration. And then reading more, reading reviews, checking the running forums (or is it fora) it turns out that much of the writing is fantasy, and fraudulent.
So many questions to ask, which if you read the book then you may add many many more.
How does he feel he can get away with this?
What are his feelings now that he has been exposed.
We sometimes hear of people who have cheated in races - why ? what do they hope to gain? Do they know they are really only cheating themselves?

[Paul Shepherd · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s sad to learn (after reading this book) that his runs are disputed as the GPS data has been reviewed and found wanting: https://news.google.com/articles/CAIi...

[Runningrara · Rating 3 out of 5]

You've got to really love marathons to enjoy this book.

[Rich · Rating 1 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book, then he turned out to be a fraudster. Shame

[Claire Brear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now I’m not sure if he is a fraud or not? 🤔

[Milly Pinnock · Rating 1 out of 5]

A poorly written book which I was willing to forgive until I discovered he is fraud and a cheat.

[Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Comes across as a bit of a d**k.

[Joanne Mullen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rob Young is a life long liar and fantasist and almost everything in this book is a pathetic fabrication. He has claimed at various times to have been an international triathlete - he wasn't, a professional cyclist - he wasn't, and his attempt to ride a van across across America to claim the fame he so desperately desires blew up in his face. He's a mediocre runner with no track record in any meaningful events and while he claims to inspire children and raise money for some very dubious 'charities' with his stunts, his example should only be used to show that cheaters don't prosper. A terrible book, a dreadful man and, given the low profile he's kept since he was exposed after his Trans-America 'run', let's hope the world never hears from him again.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a runner, though 10k twice a week is about my limit and I've never attempted a marathon. This book is definitely inspirational and it really does make you want to get out and run more. It also makes the more extreme marathons, involving mud and mountains, seem almost attractive.

Mr Young has a childish, enthusiastic way of writing which match his childish enthusiasm for life. Not a bad thing, but it may make him a challenge to live with. But the story of his challenge is remarkable and engaging.

The story of his upbringing is quite shocking, however. I wasn't expecting that at all. He is quite right to be open and up front about it though, as men like his father will continue to abuse because they continue to get away with it.

There is an amusing irony in the end of the book - the appendix is quite a detailed training and eating plan for building up to your first marathon, and then how to continue on to ultra and extreme marathons. This from a man who began his 370 marathons in a year by going out and running one in the morning and then another in the evening, and who regards 10 big Macs as an important part of a marathon runner's nutritional regime.

Enjoyable, inspirational and entertaining, just not perhaps a guide to how to build up a running career.

[Julie Garner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book but can I just say...this man is crazy!!! In a good way, of course. To just get up off the couch and run a marathon with no training or preparation, then continue to do it everyday for a year...who does that?? I struggle to get off the couch and run 2k at the moment. My mind is in it but my knee just screams at me.
What Rob managed to achieve in a year is astounding and makes me want to get back out there and forget the pain. I don't want to run a marathon, but building back up to a 5k would be nice :)
I loved reading about his journey, his motivation for doing this crazy task and then the manner in which he goes about it. Everything he writes that he did for his running makes complete sense but is the complete opposite to everything that we have been told.
This was a great adventure Rob and I hope that some day soon, I get to read more of your crazy adventures. In the meantime, I hope your new family adventure is going down a treat!

[Gillian]

An incredible story and an inspirational man. This book is a great reminder that horrid things happen to good people but that these don't have to define you. In his quest to run more marathons than anyone has in a year, Rob shows us that seemingly impossible things are just a case of having an active enough imagination and belief in yourself that you can do it.

[Andrew White · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very engaging story of commitment, persistence and determination. But also, provided real insight into the writers very personal motivators. Not only a good read for those with an interest in distance running nut much for those of us that look to succeed despite significant impediments.