Running the Smoke: 26 First-Hand Accounts of Tackling the London Marathon

by Michael McEwan

Discover 26 tales of triumph, hope, and determination in this collection of personal stories from London Marathon runners.The London Marathon is an event unlike any other. It is twenty-six-point-two miles of iconic landmarks, cheers, tears, sweat, pain and courage. It is triumph over adversity on a colossal scale. Running The Smoke tells the story of this legendary race since its inception in 1981 through the perspectives of twenty-six fascinating and inspiring participants.Here are the stories of people both ordinary and extraordinary. You'll read about Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave, one of the marathon's most prominent participants; John Farnworth, the soccer freestyler who completed the marathon while juggling a soccer ball the entire way; Jamie McAndrew, who ran just three years after becoming a quadruple amputee following a climbing accident in the French Alps; and many others.

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 6, 2016

Reviews

[Cactus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this prior to running the London Marathon last weekend. As if I wasn't feeling emotional enough already, some of these inspirational stories brought tears to my eyes. A fantastic book for anyone running or even thinking of running this great event.

[Colin Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was by far one of the best books I’ve read yes I had a vested interest in reading it as I am due to run my first
Marathon in London in April and this book will make you laugh and cry and will also make you realise the sacrifices some people make and the extraordinary obstacles and hurdles that people overcome to achieve the title

Marathon Runner

[Danielle Bourgeois · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good inspirational stories.

[Owen Chengun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just excellent, the collection of stories are both motivating and emotional in equal measure. Suffice to say the marathon delivered!