Running Stories shows true value of the sport

Many books on running detail how to start and how to go faster, but if it’s pure heartwarming tales you require, Running Stories does a fine job.

The book, which raises money for The Running Charity, features over 80 runners discuss their reasons for churning out the miles.

It’s been put together by Jerry Lockspeiser and Andrew Roberts, two members of the Serpentine Running Club.

Broken down into manageable chunks, sections touch on themes such as community, wellbeing and personal milestones.

Each story is as pertinent as the next. It is certainly moving and sometimes a difficult read. But in the current climate, Running Stories is an even more important book.

I’ve touched on my own reaction to running during lockdowns. And the insights spread over the book’s 174 pages healthily show an overriding thread of hope over adversity.

A few personal favourites in Running Stories…

Seyfu Jamaal, a young runner posting fantastic times, all the while attempting to seek asylum to remain in the UK.

Tom Bartlett’s story of running with diabetes is particularly interesting to someone with a family member who has the condition.

And the simple message of how running gives feelings of freedom in a story from Jan Smith.

Inspiration everywhere

As a fitness pursuit, running provides many levels of inspiration.

At the elite end there are inspiring tales such as that of Chris Thompson. Considered a veteran at 39 years-old, Thompson’s experience and racing brain was clear recently when he qualified for the Tokyo Olympic marathon.

The joy he demonstrated upon crossing the line can give hope to older runners out there.

But more is found away from these professional heights. And it is tales such as those documented in Running Stories that underpin the whole community element of the sport.

An ideal pick-me-up, Running Stories is available to buy in print and e-book. It is also widely from other book retailers on and offline.