26.2 Miles to Happiness: A Comedian’s Tale of Running, Red Wine and Redemption

by Paul Tonkinson

The hilarious trials and tribulations of stand-up comedian Paul Tonkinson as he attempts to beat the much lauded 3-hour mark at the London Marathon. With a supporting cast of fellow comedians, this is a warmly written and wonderfully honest adventure-through-sport that will both entertain and inspire.

Along the way, we are introduced to the characters helping Paul with his quest. Celebrity names such as Bryony Gordon, Russell Howard, Roisin Conaty and Vassos Alexander pop up with wit and wisdom, alongside an alpine adventure to the Mayr Clinic with Michael McIntyre that pushes Paul to the limit. And not forgetting the 'words of wisdom' and derision from Paul's anti-running friend, Richard.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, American, Biography, Humor, Memoir

Audible Audio

Published February 6, 2020

Reviews

[Paul Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fan of Paul from his podcast with friend Rob Deering, Running Commentary, I listened to this as an audiobook, read by Paul himself. Something about the reading was off and I couldn't place it until I realised Paul wasn't panting and out of breath whilst talking. Maybe the book should have been recorded whilst Paul jogged around a local park run.

Good book about the obsession involved in training for a marathon, whilst at the same time being the memoir of Paul's childhood.

[David Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

“No I don’t need another book about running,” I told my wife but she read it and between snorts of laughter started to give me (ME!) advice about my training schedule.
Yes it is very funny, it is heartwarming and I love people who are obsessed with a target. Can Paul run the London Marathon in under 3 hours at the age of 47? It really is touch and go. An extremely inspiring “journey” (dread word) and I was devastated when the 3 hour pacer passed him with a mile or two to go. I would have collapsed but I don’t have a mantra and my inner controller would have washed his hands of me. Therapy Schtherapy -just run.

[Luke Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Been years since I actually laughed out loud to a book. Also touching in places

[Kim Arne · Rating 4 out of 5]

En av mine favorittsjangere er i ferd med å bli «folk som skriver bra og som dessuten skriver om løping». Paul Tonkinson både skriver bra og er en artig skrue, og har i tillegg blitt en særdeles habil maratonløper de siste årene. «26.2 Miles to Happiness» er en kombinert selvbiografi og en oppsummering av løpekarrieren til Tonkinson, hvor hans forsøk på å bryte den magiske tretimersgrensen er flettet inn i selve teksten.

Rundt en tredjedel inni boken vurderte jeg faktisk å legge boken fra meg. Jeg syntes det ble i overkant platt, og begeret holdt på å renne over da Tonkinson fortalte om den gangen han ropte CUNT etter en fem år gammel jente i forbindelse med at han møtte veggen under et maraton (la oss innrømme det, vi har alle gjort det). Rett etterpå glir teksten inn i et mer selvbiografisk spor, i en del som heter «The Monster». Her forteller Tonkinson åpenhjertig om en særdeles trøblete oppvekst, hvor det viser seg at «The Monster» er en stemor som kun finner sidestykke i Brødrene Grimms eventyr. Dette gir perspektiv til hvorfor Tonkinson har funnet glede i løpingen, og det er mange gode poenger innimellom – blant annet at det å stå på startstreken i et maraton er det ultimate «jeg er så privilegert at jeg er nødt til å oppsøke problemer i livet mitt»-statement.

Overlever du en platt første tredjedel, kan jeg virkelig anbefale resten. Dette ble en veldig fin bok om det å finne glede i fysisk aktivitet, og det å finne små løsninger på store problemer.

[John Joseph Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly timed read as I prep for Manchester Marathon on 16 April 2023
I laughed, cried and lapped up every single page. Recommended for runners and non runners alike 🙂

[Iain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, great fun. Lots of practical running tips and advice alongside a barrel load of laughs.

[Colin Forbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read. Certainly more memoir than running manual, it is based around a blow-by-blow recounting of the author's attempt to run a sub 3 hour time at the London Marathon, interspersed with stories about how he arrived there - both in terms of the training for that event and experiences from childhood onward that have shaped his life.

As a narrative format it works well, and the closer he got to the end of the race and his target time, the more engaged I got with the book and the more I wanted to finish it with him! Only kidding. No spoilers here. Buy the book if you want to know how well he did.

I still have no inclination to attempt a marathon myself, but definitely took some motivation from his journey to apply to my more modest running efforts.

Recommended!

[James R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the way the running of the marathon was used as a framing device for this book, jumping back to childhood and the months of training in between describing the actual experience of running a marathon in under three hours. The blend of humour and emotion made it both easy and satisfying to read. You would probably have to at least have a passing interest in running to enjoy this but having recently taken tentative steps into this world I found it a good read.

[R.J. Southworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a lot out of this book. I enjoyed Paul Tonkinson’s motivating and insightful perspective on running; the comedic moments are unexpectedly balanced out with some serious and honest personal reflection; and the picture it paints of how it feels to run a marathon is very informative for a runner like me who isn’t quite at that stage yet.

[Alice Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first saw it was “about” aiming for a sub 3 marathon I thought “this probably isn’t the book for me”. I’m lucky to get a sub 3 10K (that’s a joke but not much of one). But actually it’s a really lovely look into the commitment and journey of marathon training as well as why and how people do it. Love some running inspo.

[Jan Geerling · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I ran with an audio book, and what a good choice to start with. My humble goal is to finish a marathon this year. Most books make training for this seem like technical rocket science. But this one made me laugh, think and also realize that my goal was doable. Hard, but very much doable.

Cheers, Paul Tonkinson!

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book to read! Around 25 pages in I was already searching "how to apply to run the Edinburgh marathon". So this book was an absolute success.

"Every run is an experience that you are giving yourself, which adds to the whole that you are personally creating."
"It cannot be taken away from you. You earn this, you keep it"

What a glorious sentiment.

[Jane Ventisei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny account of the author’s bid to run a sub three hour marathon. Heartfelt personal stories too which really enhanced this amusing but very sincere book.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

With apologies to Mr Tonkinson, as I had to keep putting his book down in favour of other library loans which weren’t able to be extended due to someone else’s reservation. No-one wanted to reserve 26.2 Miles though, which is a shame as it deserves to be borrowed more regularly than just the one bloke (me) renewing it 26 weeks in a row in favour of reading other titles.

26.2 Miles is one man’s attempt to conquer the sub-3 hour marathon, told in a humorous and at times unexpectedly confessional manner. He’s self-deprecating throughout and it’s great to get an insight into the mind of a never-going-to-be-competitive runner, especially one well into middle age suffering from sporadic bouts of excessive booze and crisp-fests. It’s witty, interesting and the tension builds as chapters are interspersed with each mile of the marathon, with flashbacks to other points in the writer's' life as he approaches the big day. I made reading this a marathon but it really doesn’t need to be. Go and buy/borrow it today!

[Allyson Clarkson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent running revelations

If you've considered running a marathon, or have done, this is a fantastic read. The book covers Paul's attempt to break 3 hours for the marathon, which would be a big achievement for any runner.
The book mixes in some history, his day to day life, training and the event itself, the 2017 London Marathon. Although it jumps across each area, the flow of the book works really well.
Yes, it's funny in parts as you would expect from a comedian, but it's touching to understand Paul's motivation.
Carefully crafted, a very well written and thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I was alienated by (a) having no idea who the author is, even though he describes a famous life, at length and (b) being so disconnected from his goal of a sub-3-hour marathon. I also found the structure, which combines relating his experience at each mile of his sub-3 marathon effort with a more random time scheme plunges deep into his childhood, relates his adult life story and in describes his recent training, confusing. However, the link between his awful childhood and his marathon goal becomes more compelling half way through the book and it improves: negative splits in narrative terms.

[Odreea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book! I’ve read it while preparing for Vienna marathon, having only 2 weeks left to the event. It was exactly what I needed.
I am a runner, an amateur one. I love running, talk about running, listen podcasts about running and reading every book about it. I have tons of inspirational books that I can recommend, but this one, being written by an amateur as I am, is the most valuable for me. Funny, motivational, full of information for anyone who wants to run a marathon and has a time target. An amazing book!

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love running but mostly dislike books about running. I find most of them incredibly dull. But this was good. A few good laughs, some penetrating insights into marathon preparation and racing delivered, at times, with wise and surprisingly profound philosophy. As a fellow runner with a penchant for wine who spent years chasing u3, I felt like I was reading the words of a kindred spirit. I’d have given this book four stars if the subject matter was related to tennis, snooker or hoola-hooping.

[Simon Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure inspiration

Purchased after listening to the Running Commentary podcast and then was fortunate enough to get a place in the 2021 marathon through the ballot. I’m sure the training experiences and insights will be invaluable and the book has inspired my own mantra for the race. Thanks Paul 😀

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book- lots of laugh out loud moments as well as poignant thoughtful parts. Any distance runner would enjoy this but anyone who has undertaken anything that feels a little out of reach will enjoy it too. And if you like the book check out running commentary podcast by Paul tonkinson and rob deering. #norefunds 😂👍

[Martin Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dont normally read running books, or any sport that I indulge in, but something made me pick this up and have a look and I am glad I did
Paul is candid and honest and its an easy funny read. I picked up a few incidental hints and tips, and it reaffirmed many things Id packed away in my brain and forgotten about. Give it a go.

[Andrew]

Inspirational

I signed up to do the London marathon and this book came highly recommended and I can see why. There's a hero with a goal and a villain with lots of ups and downs and entertainingly written. There are some real nuggets of wisdom held within the covers of this book and I absolutely loved every page of it.

[Paul Renwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a runner I found this book so relatable. While my running escapades aren’t as long or varied as Paul’s many of the highs and lows of running he outlined were recognisable to
me.

What came across strongly in the book was his passion for running. His passion was infectious and really mirrored what I enjoy most about running.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*listened to on Audible*
Listening for my running group book club. I loved this book. Full of humour, perfectly captures the pain and roller coaster of emotions of both training for, and running of a marathon. Highly entertaining and recommended.

[Chickpea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Love the podcast! Beautiful! For anyone who has run a marathon or wants to run a marathon. The highs and lows of making such a commitment, beautifully written with amazing understanding and honesty.

[John Hinchin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read twice

I never read a book twice. Also searching for the holy grail but 13 minutes away. It may well never happen but this book has shown me it doesn't really matter as long as you try your best. Inspirational and heart warming.

[JC · Rating 4 out of 5]

An individuals story aiming for a tough marathon target.
It's well written & entertaining. I like the structure of it

Would I recommend? - Yes. Particularly but not exclusively runners of any level.
Would I reread? - Probably.

[Séan Brazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is funny, it's touching, it's interesting. The author has structured it in a really clever way, and it pays off beautifully. I listened to it, and it's read really engagingly. I still don't want to run a marathon though.

[Christy Keeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and typical of a book about marathons. A new runner would enjoy the book, but watch out. Some of the advice may not be great (e.g., increasing weekly distances doesn’t make you faster and doing so can cause overuse injuries if you don’t know what you’re doing).

[Jennie Murdoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book!

Heard about Paul’s book on the Elis and John podcast. I’m not a runner! Well not yet anyway. I’ve just started Couch to 5K! This book is truly for everyone. Paul is a fantastic writer and I was hooked from page 1.