In It for the Long Run

We Cant Run Away From This, the new book by bestselling author Damian Hall, is now available for pre-order.

In It for the Long Run is ultrarunner Damian Halls story of his Pennine Way record attempt in July 2020.

In July 1989, Mike Hartley set the Fastest Known Time (FKT) record for the Pennine Way, running Britains oldest National Trail in a little over two days and seventeen hours. He didnt stop to sleep, but did break for fifteen minutes for fish and chips. Hartleys record stood for thirty-one years, until two attempts were made on it in two weeks in the summer of 2020.

First, American John Kelly broke Hartleys record by less than an hour, then Hall knocked another two hours off Kellys time. Hall used his record attempt to highlight environmental issues: his attempt was carbon negative, he used no plastics, and he and his pacing runners collected litter as they went, while also raising money for Greenpeace. A vegan, Hall used no animal products on his attempt. Scrawled on his arm in permanent marker was FFF, signifying the three things that matter most to him: Family, Friends, Future.

Packed with dry wit and humour, In It for the Long Run tells of Halls four-year preparation for his attempt, and of the run itself. He also gives us an autobiographical insight into the deranged world of midlife crisis ultramarathon running and record attempts.