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Broken: 2020: the year running records were rewritten
‘The emotional pain of failing just felt like it was going to be a bit worse than the physical pain of carrying on … ’
Attempting to break long-distance running records used to be an underground endeavour, until the virus-stricken summer of 2020 came along. Only a few, such as the Bob Graham Round in the Lake District, had ever broken into mainstream consciousness. But an absence of running races thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in an unprecedented rise in the popularity of attempts at breaking these records.
In Broken, Ally Beaven takes an entertaining look at just why 2020 was so unusual for long-distance running. With his interest in Fastest Known Times (FKTs) piqued, Beaven immerses himself in the scene. His summer becomes one of spending hours in the hills feeding, cajoling and generally trying to keep safe the runners he is supporting, as well as following the dots of live trackers in the middle of the night and endlessly refreshing his Twitter feed as records tumble around the country.
Through the stories of John Kelly’s epic Grand Round, Beth Pascall’s record-shattering Bob Graham Round, Donnie Campbell’s mind-bending new mark for bagging all 282 Munros, Jo Meek’s new overall record for the Nigel Jenkins Dartmoor Round and many others, Beaven brings us an inside look at the incredible FKT machine.
Broken is the story of the summer of 2020, a historic time for running in the UK.
Attempting to break long-distance running records used to be an underground endeavour, until the virus-stricken summer of 2020 came along. Only a few, such as the Bob Graham Round in the Lake District, had ever broken into mainstream consciousness. But an absence of running races thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in an unprecedented rise in the popularity of attempts at breaking these records.
In Broken, Ally Beaven takes an entertaining look at just why 2020 was so unusual for long-distance running. With his interest in Fastest Known Times (FKTs) piqued, Beaven immerses himself in the scene. His summer becomes one of spending hours in the hills feeding, cajoling and generally trying to keep safe the runners he is supporting, as well as following the dots of live trackers in the middle of the night and endlessly refreshing his Twitter feed as records tumble around the country.
Through the stories of John Kelly’s epic Grand Round, Beth Pascall’s record-shattering Bob Graham Round, Donnie Campbell’s mind-bending new mark for bagging all 282 Munros, Jo Meek’s new overall record for the Nigel Jenkins Dartmoor Round and many others, Beaven brings us an inside look at the incredible FKT machine.
Broken is the story of the summer of 2020, a historic time for running in the UK.
192 pages, Paperback
Published December 3, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 10, 2021
Broken - When the world we race in felt broken, Ally found away of connecting us all with those who found away to show us, it didn’t have to be. The accounts of runners making the most of the bad situation, proved that there still challenges out there that are worth going for.
2020 will be known for ever in history as the year Lockdowns killed races, but it will also be remembered for the Fastest Known Times broken throughout the year. From the well known ones like the Bob Graham round to the lesser known such as the Dartmoor Round. Ally writes them so well, they all fit together on the same par.
You get the feeling like you are there watching them as they bog hop, climb the ascents and dart back down the other sides. It shows both the runners in their elements but also the beauty of the terrains they run on.
The book had me absorbed from the go, which I can’t say for many books. It shows the heart of endurance running community and what we are capable of to those outside of this world. To those inside of this world, it shows not even a pandemic can dampen out spirits when nature calls us.
When people look back on 2020, this book may just be the positive note, the future generations need to read, it may just inspire a few along the way also.
2020 will be known for ever in history as the year Lockdowns killed races, but it will also be remembered for the Fastest Known Times broken throughout the year. From the well known ones like the Bob Graham round to the lesser known such as the Dartmoor Round. Ally writes them so well, they all fit together on the same par.
You get the feeling like you are there watching them as they bog hop, climb the ascents and dart back down the other sides. It shows both the runners in their elements but also the beauty of the terrains they run on.
The book had me absorbed from the go, which I can’t say for many books. It shows the heart of endurance running community and what we are capable of to those outside of this world. To those inside of this world, it shows not even a pandemic can dampen out spirits when nature calls us.
When people look back on 2020, this book may just be the positive note, the future generations need to read, it may just inspire a few along the way also.
June 25, 2023
Much like the author himself, although the book is short it is crammed with interesting insights, clever wordplay and funny anecdotes.
April 15, 2021
“And everyone’s lives got a little weird”
So begins Ally Beaven’s book on the summer of the Fastest Known Time, as records tumbled on long distance challenges throughout Britain (and across the world, although they’re out of Beaven’s scope).
From the roads of Lands End to John o’ Groats to the trails of the Lake District and the wilds of Scotland’s Munros this book covers a huge range of record setting adventures, all in a witty, fast paced style. As another reviewer said the book is easy to read reflecting just how well written it is.
I’m hoping Ally Beaven comes back for a second lap with a new book in the future.
So begins Ally Beaven’s book on the summer of the Fastest Known Time, as records tumbled on long distance challenges throughout Britain (and across the world, although they’re out of Beaven’s scope).
From the roads of Lands End to John o’ Groats to the trails of the Lake District and the wilds of Scotland’s Munros this book covers a huge range of record setting adventures, all in a witty, fast paced style. As another reviewer said the book is easy to read reflecting just how well written it is.
I’m hoping Ally Beaven comes back for a second lap with a new book in the future.
Currently Reading
February 23, 2021Broken
2020: the year running records were rewritten
by Ally Beaven
Running’s not really my thing but this was a book I was looking forward to reading and reviewing. In the past, especially when living in Snowdonia, I ran a lot on the mountains and loved the solitude and exhilaration. Nowadays, I’m a bit more protective of my knees and ankles but it doesn’t hurt to dream and “Broken” is the stories of dreams realised in a very unusual year.
The author is obviously a fantastic runner as well as a barman. The book is written in an engaging and witty style and one can easily imagine Ally and fellow runners enjoying a post run rehydration session, the banter flowing along with the drinks. It could easily have been a book of dry statistics and facts but the end result is a lively account of a number of record breaking runs.
Indeed the author helped support various of the runners so the book is very much written from an insider’s point of view. One of the chapters I found most interesting was “The Big 6” which describes Ally’s experiences on the Cairngorm 4000s plus Ben Avon and Beinn a Bhuird. He kicks of by putting himself in the whole scheme of things; “Deep in the bowels of Glenmore Lodge…where I pull pints for a living, decisions are being made and plans for reopening are taking shape. As part time barman, I doubt I will be high on the list of people they want back in the building as soon as possible.”
Finlay Wild features and having seen him run (and win by huge amounts) the annual Glamaig race, and as one time holder of the summer Cuillin Ridge record, it’s no surprise. What is a surprise and very refreshing is his attitude and style. Many of the records were micro managed and planned like a military exercise with support teams, pacers and media connectivity. In contrast, Finlay’s record breaking Ramsay Round was done solo, totally unsupported, no pacers, nothing but him versus the terrain.
When the book arrived I was looking forward to it especially Donnie Campbell’s Munro Round in 31 days but it was other lesser known runs that grabbed my attention. Typical was the Dartmoor Round. Not just familiar places from when I lived in Okehampton but full of human interest with a cast of characters with nicknames that make you think “all the south west’s ultra runners moonlight as professional darts players.” Welcome to the world of “Plodder” and “Zippy.”
Overall, Broken is a great read for runner and also for the armchair athlete and Ally should be congratulated for writing such an entertaining book.
2020: the year running records were rewritten
by Ally Beaven
Running’s not really my thing but this was a book I was looking forward to reading and reviewing. In the past, especially when living in Snowdonia, I ran a lot on the mountains and loved the solitude and exhilaration. Nowadays, I’m a bit more protective of my knees and ankles but it doesn’t hurt to dream and “Broken” is the stories of dreams realised in a very unusual year.
The author is obviously a fantastic runner as well as a barman. The book is written in an engaging and witty style and one can easily imagine Ally and fellow runners enjoying a post run rehydration session, the banter flowing along with the drinks. It could easily have been a book of dry statistics and facts but the end result is a lively account of a number of record breaking runs.
Indeed the author helped support various of the runners so the book is very much written from an insider’s point of view. One of the chapters I found most interesting was “The Big 6” which describes Ally’s experiences on the Cairngorm 4000s plus Ben Avon and Beinn a Bhuird. He kicks of by putting himself in the whole scheme of things; “Deep in the bowels of Glenmore Lodge…where I pull pints for a living, decisions are being made and plans for reopening are taking shape. As part time barman, I doubt I will be high on the list of people they want back in the building as soon as possible.”
Finlay Wild features and having seen him run (and win by huge amounts) the annual Glamaig race, and as one time holder of the summer Cuillin Ridge record, it’s no surprise. What is a surprise and very refreshing is his attitude and style. Many of the records were micro managed and planned like a military exercise with support teams, pacers and media connectivity. In contrast, Finlay’s record breaking Ramsay Round was done solo, totally unsupported, no pacers, nothing but him versus the terrain.
When the book arrived I was looking forward to it especially Donnie Campbell’s Munro Round in 31 days but it was other lesser known runs that grabbed my attention. Typical was the Dartmoor Round. Not just familiar places from when I lived in Okehampton but full of human interest with a cast of characters with nicknames that make you think “all the south west’s ultra runners moonlight as professional darts players.” Welcome to the world of “Plodder” and “Zippy.”
Overall, Broken is a great read for runner and also for the armchair athlete and Ally should be congratulated for writing such an entertaining book.
January 4, 2021
If you were a dot-watcher in 2020 you'll want this book!
Meaning, of course, a watcher of runner's tracker dots as athletes emerged from lockdown lean and ready to take on big challenges, instead of the races they would normally have been at. This is a great read and if, like me, you were aware of record after record being broken but struggled to keep up with the dots let alone the runners, then it's a book you'll want to make sense of it all.
It's light hearted but you feel something of the immense challenge each runner is up against. And not just the runners as the characters supporting them are a story in themselves and one that Ally does justice too in devoting a chapter to Nicky Lygo, support for not one but two Pennine Way record breaking runs.
The book does have a couple of misses for me. For completeness I'd like to have heard more about both John Kelly and Damian Hall's Pennine Way runs from their perspective. Even more so I was disappointed not to read more about the 24 hour Munro record broken by Sacha Chepelin, particularly as the vanguard of a younger generation who we might see more of in the coming years. And perhaps some epic stories are destined to be in the shadows such as the incredible efforts over a number of years to break the Lake District 24 hour record. Still, it's a great achievement to pack so much in and perhaps we'd still be waiting for this book if it were to be comprehensive. The year was a great opportunity for many athletes and it will be interesting to see if breaking long standing records will bring more challengers even when we get back to racing.
For a runner this is a book to remind you of what a year 2020 was. A non-runner will fid plenty of interest in what really goes on when you see those occasional 'Record Breaker!' snippets on the news. Recommended for all with an interest or curiosity about what runners get up to and why 2020 was different.
Will Ally Beaven write 'Broken 2' in a few years time? I hope so if it means there is a slew of further challengers now inspired, and I hope so because I'd love to read more from this author.
Meaning, of course, a watcher of runner's tracker dots as athletes emerged from lockdown lean and ready to take on big challenges, instead of the races they would normally have been at. This is a great read and if, like me, you were aware of record after record being broken but struggled to keep up with the dots let alone the runners, then it's a book you'll want to make sense of it all.
It's light hearted but you feel something of the immense challenge each runner is up against. And not just the runners as the characters supporting them are a story in themselves and one that Ally does justice too in devoting a chapter to Nicky Lygo, support for not one but two Pennine Way record breaking runs.
The book does have a couple of misses for me. For completeness I'd like to have heard more about both John Kelly and Damian Hall's Pennine Way runs from their perspective. Even more so I was disappointed not to read more about the 24 hour Munro record broken by Sacha Chepelin, particularly as the vanguard of a younger generation who we might see more of in the coming years. And perhaps some epic stories are destined to be in the shadows such as the incredible efforts over a number of years to break the Lake District 24 hour record. Still, it's a great achievement to pack so much in and perhaps we'd still be waiting for this book if it were to be comprehensive. The year was a great opportunity for many athletes and it will be interesting to see if breaking long standing records will bring more challengers even when we get back to racing.
For a runner this is a book to remind you of what a year 2020 was. A non-runner will fid plenty of interest in what really goes on when you see those occasional 'Record Breaker!' snippets on the news. Recommended for all with an interest or curiosity about what runners get up to and why 2020 was different.
Will Ally Beaven write 'Broken 2' in a few years time? I hope so if it means there is a slew of further challengers now inspired, and I hope so because I'd love to read more from this author.
May 11, 2021
In 2020, COVID effectively caused all fell and trail races to be cancelled. Rather than becoming deflated without the challenge of the circuit, many elite runners rose to the opportunity of doing something different and when allowed to travel, rushed off around the country in pursuit of FKTs.
In this book Ally Beaven, himself an elite athlete, pulls together a very readable record of that year of extraordinary achievement.
Even if not a dot watcher (a runner's GPS tracker signal viewable online), you should enjoy this book if you've any form of interest in the mountains, athletic achievement, adventure or just like reading about people striving to push themselves and often suffering through something they deep down enjoy.
It is far more than a bunch of statistics and facts though. Through 2020 Ally became dedicated to capturing, recording and indeed participating in the year's achievements. This book is the product of that dedication and the author introduces the reader to well known and previously lesser known routes. You'll be guided round the UK with historical background and accounts of well known Bob Graham, Paddy Buckley and Tranter's Round 24 hour records through to multi-day Pennine Way, 214 Wainrights, Lands End to John o'Groats (LEJOG) and the continuous Munro records. Not forgotten are some of the lesser known rounds including the 6 Cairngorm tops, Scottish 4000ers, 58 Cairngorm munros, Dartmoor circuit and John Muir Way. Ally's own knowledge and participation in the sport allows him to convey the varied terrain and challenge of the different routes to the reader. You really get a feel for the routes from this absorbing read.
Running is often thought of as a solitary pursuit but throughout the book, Ally conveys how many more people are required to form the team that allows the elite runner to attempt these FKTs. He acknowledges the sacrifice that these support runners, checkpoint support team members, coaches and physios make, and not always because they'll be looking for the favour to be repaid at a later date. As a complete contract it is really refreshing to read of Finlay Wild's solo records in Lochaber. This is the true spirit of just getting out and moving fast through the mountains. An exceptional athlete. Maybe we'll get a biography of Finlay sometime in the future.
With 2021 starting off in the same lockdown vain, perhaps there might be a sequel, Broken 2021 or another volume with further rounds and more athletes given the praise they deserve for their remarkable achievements.
In this book Ally Beaven, himself an elite athlete, pulls together a very readable record of that year of extraordinary achievement.
Even if not a dot watcher (a runner's GPS tracker signal viewable online), you should enjoy this book if you've any form of interest in the mountains, athletic achievement, adventure or just like reading about people striving to push themselves and often suffering through something they deep down enjoy.
It is far more than a bunch of statistics and facts though. Through 2020 Ally became dedicated to capturing, recording and indeed participating in the year's achievements. This book is the product of that dedication and the author introduces the reader to well known and previously lesser known routes. You'll be guided round the UK with historical background and accounts of well known Bob Graham, Paddy Buckley and Tranter's Round 24 hour records through to multi-day Pennine Way, 214 Wainrights, Lands End to John o'Groats (LEJOG) and the continuous Munro records. Not forgotten are some of the lesser known rounds including the 6 Cairngorm tops, Scottish 4000ers, 58 Cairngorm munros, Dartmoor circuit and John Muir Way. Ally's own knowledge and participation in the sport allows him to convey the varied terrain and challenge of the different routes to the reader. You really get a feel for the routes from this absorbing read.
Running is often thought of as a solitary pursuit but throughout the book, Ally conveys how many more people are required to form the team that allows the elite runner to attempt these FKTs. He acknowledges the sacrifice that these support runners, checkpoint support team members, coaches and physios make, and not always because they'll be looking for the favour to be repaid at a later date. As a complete contract it is really refreshing to read of Finlay Wild's solo records in Lochaber. This is the true spirit of just getting out and moving fast through the mountains. An exceptional athlete. Maybe we'll get a biography of Finlay sometime in the future.
With 2021 starting off in the same lockdown vain, perhaps there might be a sequel, Broken 2021 or another volume with further rounds and more athletes given the praise they deserve for their remarkable achievements.
December 9, 2020
Ally Beaven may be a part-time barman, but in this his first book he has an engaging writing style. These may be a series of similar sounding endurance efforts but the nuances between them come out with the author’s analysis. He is not afraid to question assumptions and shares his views with some spicy vocabulary and some telling phrases. Just one example I liked, when talking about reaching a summit with no view and which was just a pile of rocks, he writes: “All the toil, none of the reward. Hill running for Calvinists”. The narrative is very readable, helped immensely by Beaven concentrating on the unique aspects of each record that is broken (several of which he was supporting on), whilst also putting each into its context. The book, summarising one year, was produced to a tight deadline, but still Vertebrate had time to design a good looking book. It is highly recommended for anyone with an interest in fells, mountains, endurance running and how some folks combined them to see how far a human can push themselves.
July 18, 2024
Interesting account of a tiny window of time - 2020. After Covid restrictions started to be lifted but before mass participation running races were allowed elite runners scratched their competitive itch by going after record times on established ultra-marathon routes. (Strictly-speaking, these are ‘fastest known times’ or FKTs not records if you want to be pedantic.) Consequently that year dozens of records tumbled as furlough-fit runners emerged ready to do battle.
This is Ally Beaven’s first book and I admire his pluck in choosing such a narrow topic. He doesn’t completely adhere to 2020 results, he covers the history of existing records as part of the background to the 2020 FKTs - but that fair enough and provides the necessary context.
Three stars seems a bit mean but it’s a niche book for enthusiasts and there are a couple of sections that aren’t terribly well-written and a bit confused.
This is Ally Beaven’s first book and I admire his pluck in choosing such a narrow topic. He doesn’t completely adhere to 2020 results, he covers the history of existing records as part of the background to the 2020 FKTs - but that fair enough and provides the necessary context.
Three stars seems a bit mean but it’s a niche book for enthusiasts and there are a couple of sections that aren’t terribly well-written and a bit confused.
March 20, 2021
Generous 3 stars really, probably more because I’m so interested in the challenges themselves and trail/fell running rather than the book itself. The author has a nice turn of phrase and a genuine sense of humour but it’s his first book, and it really shows. The book feels chaotic at points, you skip around within chapters across different challenges and the facts of each one seem cobbled together. It’s a constant mental picture of the author sat with with sprawls of post-it notes across his desk trying to pull it all together. A nice, short read but not one I would recommend to others.
July 22, 2021
Brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and read it all in a day. The idea of these FKTs fascinate me, an aspiring runner, and the insights into the psyche of these ridiculous athletes are inspiring, to say the very least.
Also enjoyed the self-depreciating style of Beavan’s writing - clearly someone who is an outstanding athlete in his own right. A particular highlight was his commentary on his own performance - as chief navigator - during a leg of John Kelly’s Grand Round.
Also enjoyed the self-depreciating style of Beavan’s writing - clearly someone who is an outstanding athlete in his own right. A particular highlight was his commentary on his own performance - as chief navigator - during a leg of John Kelly’s Grand Round.
January 3, 2021
A fantastic read highlighting in an engaging manor some of the impressive running achievements that took place in 2020 in spite of / because of COVID-19. The fact that the author was involved in many of the performances adds a unique perspective to them, especially if you have read and watched other pieces about them already.
February 19, 2021
Well written account of the 2020 ultra, fell and trail scene in the UK. I knew of a lot of these records, being a bit of a dotwatcher, but there were a couple that I hadn't heard about too. Good to read an account from someone who was there at a lot of them and is clearly a very good runner in his own right.
December 19, 2020
Essential reading for anyone who has been glued to their phone during 2020s dot-watching epics. Especially so for those who want to have a go at an FKT themselves. Funny, insightful and down right excellent. Finished it in two sittings. Wonder what the FKT is for reading this masterpiece?
December 8, 2020
Witty and highly entertaining account of the 2020, the year of the FKT. Light hearted and funny. Great read!
February 18, 2021
Excellent book, amusing and well written. If you need a positive spin on 2020 - and let's face it, who doesn't - this is the read for you.
March 6, 2021
Lots of people doing crazy things to their minds and bodies in search of a FTK!
June 27, 2021
Nice recap of some of the FKTs from the last year, from a more Scottish perspective
July 13, 2021
a well written account of a very interesting year in uk outdoors running :)
August 14, 2021
I thought this book was fantastic. Got me motivated to start running long stuff again. Well written and very informative.
April 19, 2022
Averagely interesting stories of ultra runners. For the converted not the uninitiated
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews