Running Through Sand
An Ageing Comedian’s Ill-Thought-Out Ultra in the Sahara
Brief Description
I loved every page — TIM VINE Hilarious and occasionally heartbreaking — TOBY JONES Moving, inspiring and laugh-out-loud funny — LISA JACKSON 250KM IN THE SAHARA DESERT. 2 MONTHS TRAINING. CAN AGEING RUNNER AND AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR PAUL TONKINSON CONQUER THE WORLD'S TOUGHEST FOOT RACE? Ageing as...
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Running Through Sand
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250KM IN THE SAHARA DESERT. 2 MONTHS TRAINING. CAN AGEING RUNNER AND AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR PAUL TONKINSON CONQUER THE WORLD'S TOUGHEST FOOT RACE?
250KM IN THE SAHARA DESERT. 2 MONTHS TRAINING. CAN AGEING RUNNER AND AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR PAUL TONKINSON CONQUER THE WORLD'S TOUGHEST FOOT RACE?
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Description
I loved every page — TIM VINE
Hilarious and occasionally heartbreaking — TOBY JONES
Moving, inspiring and laugh-out-loud funny — LISA JACKSON
250KM IN THE SAHARA DESERT. 2 MONTHS TRAINING. CAN AGEING RUNNER AND AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR PAUL TONKINSON CONQUER THE WORLD'S TOUGHEST FOOT RACE?
Ageing as a runner is no joke. Paul Tonkinson discovers that in running, as in life, you are gradually overtaken by a stream of young people wearing clothes you couldn’t get into and in shoes you don’t recognise. He observes that your relationship with running changes – you no longer run as fast as you can, you run as fast as your body can handle, which is slow. So, embrace it.
Why not the toughest footrace on earth? The Marathon Des Sables, a week-long, 250km self-sufficient sweat fest across the Sahara Desert. What could possibly go wrong?
Turns out… lots. While training for the event, calves explode, tendons pop, knees disintegrate. Years come and go, time seems to be running out as the race seems an impossible dream and then, in 2024 when fitness is finally achieved, a freak accident. Paul is run over by dogs, hospitalised, all hope is lost…
Spring 2025, the planets align. Tonkinson snags entry to MDS, two months till race time. It’s on – the last hurrah. Get the gear down from the attic, apply the toe jelly, and find that mandatory whistle.
With such little time to train, he can’t compete any more that’s for sure. So the question is more basic: can he possibly finish?
Running Through Sand is an inspiring journey that embraces the unexpected challenges of life and running.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781399404013
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 21 May 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Bloomsbury Sport
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 30.0mm
Width: 156.0mm
Height: 238.0mm
Weight: 440g
Pages: 256
About the Author
Paul Tonkinson has been a regular on the UK comedy circuit for over 25 years, playing both public gigs and corporate events, and regularly taking shows to the Edinburgh Festival. Paul is one half of the podcast Running Commentary with Rob Deering. He also writes a monthly column for Runner’s World magazine. Paul's last book 26.2 Miles to Happiness won at the prestigious Sports Book Awards – Sports Entertainment Book Of The Year. @PaulTonkinson
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