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Long Road to Boston: The Pursuit of the World's Most Coveted Marathon
What does it take to chase down a lifelong dream, even after you ve failed three times? And why have thousands of people put the Boston Marathon at the top of their bucket list?
Long Road to Boston combines the history of the world s most coveted marathon with the personal journey of one ordinary runner who seeks to fulfill his ultimate amateur athletic goal. Tracing back to the marathon s roots in Greek mythology and sharing the stories of the many colourful and inspiring characters who have crossed Boston s finish line, the book explores why modern runners challenge themselves with such ambitious goals and revels in the reward of a persistent dream achieved.
Since the first edition in 1897, more than 640,000 runners have travelled the hallowed path. The Boston Marathon isn t just the oldest marathon in the world, but the most esteemed. Every year, thousands of runners across the planet try to meet its challenging qualifying times, dreaming of stepping into more than a century of history. Some make it, others fall short and try again. Since the devastating finish-line bombing in 2013, the reverence and demand for the Boston Marathon has only increased.
As the founder and back-page columnist of iRun magazine and the host of its radio show and podcast, Mark Sutcliffe has interviewed hundreds of runners who have chased Boston. And over the course of more than five years and more than a dozen marathons, he too closed in on his qualifying time, failing repeatedly, for one reason or another, before finally earning a place in the 2015 edition.
Long Road to Boston combines the history of the world s most coveted marathon with the personal journey of one ordinary runner who seeks to fulfill his ultimate amateur athletic goal. Tracing back to the marathon s roots in Greek mythology and sharing the stories of the many colourful and inspiring characters who have crossed Boston s finish line, the book explores why modern runners challenge themselves with such ambitious goals and revels in the reward of a persistent dream achieved.
Since the first edition in 1897, more than 640,000 runners have travelled the hallowed path. The Boston Marathon isn t just the oldest marathon in the world, but the most esteemed. Every year, thousands of runners across the planet try to meet its challenging qualifying times, dreaming of stepping into more than a century of history. Some make it, others fall short and try again. Since the devastating finish-line bombing in 2013, the reverence and demand for the Boston Marathon has only increased.
As the founder and back-page columnist of iRun magazine and the host of its radio show and podcast, Mark Sutcliffe has interviewed hundreds of runners who have chased Boston. And over the course of more than five years and more than a dozen marathons, he too closed in on his qualifying time, failing repeatedly, for one reason or another, before finally earning a place in the 2015 edition.
- GenresNonfictionSports
304 pages, Hardcover
Published October 3, 2016
14 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Mark Sutcliffe
18 books9 followersMark is the author of Why I Run: The remarkable journey of the ordinary runner, Canada's Magnificent Marathon and Big Joe and the Return of Football. A runner since 1998, he ran his first half-marathon in 2003 and his first marathon in 2004. He has completed over 20 marathons and has raised more than $100,000 for local and national charities through running and other fundraising efforts.
Mark is the founder of iRun, Canada's most popular running magazine and website. He hosts iRun's weekly radio show and podcast.
Mark is also an accomplished print, radio and television journalist. He writes two columns per week in the local daily newspaper, hosts the Chat Room, a top-rated morning talk show on Ottawa's news-talk radio station; a national Sunday morning political television show; and a local issues program airing three times a week.
He lives in Ottawa with his wife, Ginny, and their children, Erica, Jack and Kate.
Mark is the founder of iRun, Canada's most popular running magazine and website. He hosts iRun's weekly radio show and podcast.
Mark is also an accomplished print, radio and television journalist. He writes two columns per week in the local daily newspaper, hosts the Chat Room, a top-rated morning talk show on Ottawa's news-talk radio station; a national Sunday morning political television show; and a local issues program airing three times a week.
He lives in Ottawa with his wife, Ginny, and their children, Erica, Jack and Kate.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 16, 2017
On the author's blog page, I entered a contest. The contest was that you had to describe your road to Boston and the prize was this book.
Unfortunately, I didn't win. I wasn't surprised at all, since my journey to Boston was neither inspiring, nor captivating. I simply just made it on my first try for 2018.
But that didn't stop me from buying the ebook. When the consolation prize was a discount code to all entrants, I jumped on it. Boy, was I glad because I couldn't put this book down from the start. I could have finished it in one sitting.
In fact, I savored every single page as if I were running a race just to enjoy the course.
The book is about 30% history, and 70% memoir. The history is well researched, with some nice educational details of the marathon race. Then he delves into the fine history of the Boston Marathon itself.
The memoir part of the book is very heartfelt and it resonated with me very well. Even though I had a much shorter time for my Boston journey, the author is a family man with a very supportive wife. We belong to the same age category.
Though my race times may be faster, he is still a much more experienced marathoner with much more training under his belt and I learned a ton. Though the book isn't very long, his technical details of running a marathon distance, and his description of the Boston course are extremely helpful. I recommend that every runner should read this book, especially anyone who is about to run Boston. You will even look forward to being there. I know I am.
Bless you Mr. Sutcliffe for writing such a masterpiece! Congrats on your Boston goal and thank you for sharing your experience!
Unfortunately, I didn't win. I wasn't surprised at all, since my journey to Boston was neither inspiring, nor captivating. I simply just made it on my first try for 2018.
But that didn't stop me from buying the ebook. When the consolation prize was a discount code to all entrants, I jumped on it. Boy, was I glad because I couldn't put this book down from the start. I could have finished it in one sitting.
In fact, I savored every single page as if I were running a race just to enjoy the course.
The book is about 30% history, and 70% memoir. The history is well researched, with some nice educational details of the marathon race. Then he delves into the fine history of the Boston Marathon itself.
The memoir part of the book is very heartfelt and it resonated with me very well. Even though I had a much shorter time for my Boston journey, the author is a family man with a very supportive wife. We belong to the same age category.
Though my race times may be faster, he is still a much more experienced marathoner with much more training under his belt and I learned a ton. Though the book isn't very long, his technical details of running a marathon distance, and his description of the Boston course are extremely helpful. I recommend that every runner should read this book, especially anyone who is about to run Boston. You will even look forward to being there. I know I am.
Bless you Mr. Sutcliffe for writing such a masterpiece! Congrats on your Boston goal and thank you for sharing your experience!
January 6, 2018
This book is a must read for anyone who aspires to run the Boston Marathon. Great mix of history about this famous race, and one runner’s journey to qualify. It made me more excited than ever to have BQ’d for next year’s marathon!
April 30, 2019
3.5 stars, but rounded down because I liked parts of it but can’t say I would recommend it. It includes a decent story of one man’s journey to qualifying for Boston and touched on a lot of the same things I have felt. However, the literary mechanisms to get there were dull and made appreciating his struggle a struggle of my own. His only way of expressing magnitude is through extraordinary simile, intended to BLOW YOUR MIND. “By the time I finished, this elite runner could have finished dinner and boarded a plane.” “That’s the difference of watching an episode of Big Bang Theory.” “That’s one sneeze or one more stop for water.” A few of these are okay, but it was all over the place. We understand the passage of time, thank you. The book was also unexpected in its structure... The first third was a non-fiction historical account of the Boston Marathon, and marathons in general. Like we’re going back to Greece here. The second third is a wash rinse and repeat of his near-misses. The final third is an acknowledgements section masqueraded as memoir. “Thanks mom! Thanks spectators! Thanks lady who gave me my medal!” Feel like this all might have been more suited to a long form article in the New Yorker. Or Buzzfeed.
July 2, 2019
Inspiring and motivational. A very enjoyable book for any runner - even those not intending to run the Boston Marathon. Mark really covers the whole universe of running - from the first times going out for a jog, the challenges, rewards and disappointments during years of running - then qualifying and completing the most historic marathon around.
February 8, 2019
I'm not great at reviews, but thought you should know that I cried - several times - while reading this, since it hit home (I'm on the Boston path as well). My husband, who does not understand the call of the runner, kept saying, "but it's a book about RUNNING>?!?!" Poor guy.
December 30, 2017
Everyman's journey to qualify for Boston
December 29, 2019
Whimsical, funny and relatable (if you're a runner). Highly recommended and can't wait to re-read.
October 24, 2016
The Long Road to Boston, by author/runner Mark Sutcliffe, paints his personal quest for trip to Boston to run the storied marathon with the fine brush of an artist while using broader strokes to bring the hallowed course and the former competitors to life.
Boston, the goal of many, if not most, marathoners presents a challenge beyond simply finishing the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston. To simply toe the line, the marathoner needs to run a qualifying time, no easy feat for the merely mortal. In Sutcliffe’s case, it took twenty-one marathons to get to the start and two years of absolute dedication when his quest, to run the world’s oldest and most historic marathon, became irresistible.
But Sutcliffe has a fine appreciation, not just for the training required, but of the place that the Boston Marathon holds in the pantheon of marathons. Interspersed in his own narrative are the stories of John McDermott, the first champion, to Native American runner and twice-champion Elliot “Tarzan” Brown, to the immortal Clarence DeMar.
In Sutcliffe’s description of his race, he introduces us to the course itself, narrow chute of the starting line, into Ashland with the original starting line until 1908, and through from the screaming tunnel of enthusiasm of the Wellesly women. For runners, no course in the world matches the spectator support that Boston delivers – and it is to these people and the thousands of volunteers that Sutcliffe addresses his most touching words.
For a fan of running, an athlete aiming for their own shot at Boston, or history buff of sport, The Long Road to Boston serves to at once inform and inspire.
Boston, the goal of many, if not most, marathoners presents a challenge beyond simply finishing the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston. To simply toe the line, the marathoner needs to run a qualifying time, no easy feat for the merely mortal. In Sutcliffe’s case, it took twenty-one marathons to get to the start and two years of absolute dedication when his quest, to run the world’s oldest and most historic marathon, became irresistible.
But Sutcliffe has a fine appreciation, not just for the training required, but of the place that the Boston Marathon holds in the pantheon of marathons. Interspersed in his own narrative are the stories of John McDermott, the first champion, to Native American runner and twice-champion Elliot “Tarzan” Brown, to the immortal Clarence DeMar.
In Sutcliffe’s description of his race, he introduces us to the course itself, narrow chute of the starting line, into Ashland with the original starting line until 1908, and through from the screaming tunnel of enthusiasm of the Wellesly women. For runners, no course in the world matches the spectator support that Boston delivers – and it is to these people and the thousands of volunteers that Sutcliffe addresses his most touching words.
For a fan of running, an athlete aiming for their own shot at Boston, or history buff of sport, The Long Road to Boston serves to at once inform and inspire.
December 12, 2016
A terrific book that is sure to resonate with the running community. The author describes his journey towards qualifying to run - and running - the Boston marathon, peppered with historical background that tell the story as to why Boston is such a special race. Also a must-read for those with friends or family who become obsessed with running Boston - this book provides the context, both rational and emotional, for that obsession.
April 13, 2019
I ran Boston in 2016 so I thought this might prove to be a bit nostalgic. It served that purpose somewhat but also felt a bit flat. I guess each person’s Boston journey has its own story and it’s difficult to resonate with everyone. If you’re a runner obsessed with Boston, as most of us are, then I think you’ll find something to love about this book.
December 14, 2016
Great, inspiring book to read about the journey to running the Boston marathon. Almost makes me want to do it. Almost.
May 7, 2019
A great at inspiring read. Very well written. Though I still have no interest in trying out for a marathon anytime soon, I really like how the author presents and compares his goal of running Boston marathon to any goals in life... I really relate to the message of the book, that the goal in itself is not the only accomplishment, but the journey to get to the goal is just as important! Really loved this book! Also enjoyed all the history details in the book concerning the Boston Marathon... I can see how runners would like to be part of the club of finishers.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews