The Jungle Marathon is arguably the world's toughest endurance race. The 254km multi-stage, unsupported ultra endurance race through the heart of the Amazon Jungle has unique challenges that no other race can provide, and testimonials from athletes who have completed it leave no doubt that the unforgiving and hostile environment of the Amazon Jungle is the ultimate endurance athletes challenge. The route consists of river and swamp crossings in primary jungle, very steep climbs and descents, tracks through deep jungle areas where jaguars roam freely, and beautiful fluvial beaches that separate the Amazonian waters from the dense jungle canopy. The terrain is both stunningly beautiful and soul-destroying in its extremeness. The extreme heat and humidity can have devastating effects on un-acclimatized athletes and many fall victim to this every year. It's impossible to tell who may be affected but the sure thing is that every year someone will be affected Amanda Barlow describes the agony and the ecstasy of her experience, as she becomes the first Australian female to have competed in The Jungle Marathon. Along with 76 competitors, from 22 different countries around the world, she leaves the comforts of home behind to spend a week racing through the deep Amazon Jungle with just a hammock and a backpack. Every day provides new challenges, unpredictable obstacles and formidable weather that will test her physical and mental resolve to their limits. The ninth running of The Jungle Marathon would prove to be a race like no other, with a controversial finish to Stage 4 igniting a cascading sequence of events that no-one saw coming. The race director faces some tough decisions that would see her and her team working tirelessly through the night to re-route Stage 5 in an effort to protect the competitors from unpredictable dangers that were never meant to be a part of this race. The future of The Jungle Marathon hinges on the outcome of the final stages of the race and the revelations of what has transpired behind the scenes stuns the physically drained competitors, and in the next 24 hours will divide the loyalties of competitors and organizers alike. One thing is for sure - the runners who still remain in the race and cross the finish line of the 6th and final stage, will surely deserve their medal

When blind runner Simon Webb was training for his first marathon in London 2011, aware that he wouldn't be able to pass the time during the race by admiring the sights of the city, he researched a few facts about some of the points of interest around the 26.2 mile course. Using the route which has changed little since its first running in 1981 and which has been completed by over 800,000 people, this book focuses on London's history, culture and sport, famous and not so famous landmarks, people and pubs - lots of pubs. From climbing the Elizabeth Tower at the Palace of Westminster, which houses Big Ben, to going underground into what the Victorians branded the 8th Wonder of the World, better known as the former entry hall to the Brunel Tunnel in Rotherhithe, this book is as much an alternative tour guide to London as a sport book. During every mile there are stories to tell and reflect on: the location for England's first home rugby international on Blackheath, the restoration of the Cutty Sark after a devastating fire, the Deptford pub which hosted early gigs for Squeeze and Dire Straits and how the Chinese in Limehouse gained literary notoriety. When it does focus on running, we learn how it feels to run when you can't see, what the guide runner experience is like and are left in no doubt that 'hitting the wall' is no fun at all. "What Simon has achieved is incredible. His story is truly compelling." Michael Dobbs, author of House of Cards

This is the story of Jarlath Fitzgerald, a Loughrea man who ran one hundred marathons, all around the world

Take a journey with Brian Baleno as he runs a half marathon in every state. Experience an inside view of preparing, traveling, running, and recovering as this three year endeavor vividly recreates the imagery of the vast American landscape. This adventure is less of a story of personal accomplishment and more of a celebration of an often unseen American beauty; a story that encourages exploration, imagination, and self reflection.

Fifteen-year-old Anita could find so much to run from. A broken town, responsibilities with her little brother, an insane work schedule. As her journey continues, she learns that these rocks in her path could turn into stepping stones to her future. After discovering a secret along the way, she finds out she has so much more to run for.

Marathoning encompasses far more than running 26.2 miles between the Start and Finish lines. It is an art, a science, a way of life. Start to Finish discusses the marathon from long term planning to post race recovery. It combines years of trial and error experience with up to date exercise physiology research. Since running the marathon is as much mental as physical, both psychological and physiological aspects of training and racing are integrated into a program for beginners through advanced runners. Included are 5 detailed training progressions and background information on physiology, psychology, nutrition and supplemental training.

In Motivational Moments in Women's Track and Field, read inspirational stories of female athletes who overcame adversity to achieve success. Sixty female track and field athletes from all over the world and multiple generations are featured in this book. Stories are of well-known athletes like Wilma Rudolph, who overcame polio as a child to become an Olympic champion, or unknown athletes who never made it to the Olympics, such as Gretel Bergmann, who faced discrimination because she was Jewish, or Doris Brown Heritage, who faced gender discrimination when women were not allowed to run distance events. Some, such as Alice Coachmen, faced racial discrimination, but overcame the adversity to become successful. Many won multiple medals at the greatest athletic stage in the world. However, some had their dreams crushed when they were not allowed to compete in the Olympic Games due to war, boycotts, or injuries. Motivational Moments in Women's Track and Field is written for those who are currently competing, coaching, have participated in track and field or are simply a track and field or sports fan. The stories convey the history of track and field and are designed to inspire, encourage, motivate, and teach valuable life lessons. Each story is accompanied by questions designed to invoke thought as to how one can apply the lessons learned to athletics and to the bigger game of life. The stories are rich in history and are designed to be read in a few minutes. The stories pay honor to all the young women who compete, and make the attempt and pursue excellence. These stories of great athletes teach us how to think positive, to focus our attention on what is important, and how to overcome obstacles to reach our goals.

In Triathlon the Hard Way, Erik Seedhouse reveals what it took to win the toughest triathlons on the planet. In 1995, Erik won Le Defi, the de facto world ultra endurance triathlon championships over the triple Ironman distance. The next day he turned professional. He followed his Le Defi performance with a win in the inaugural Double Ironman World Championships before traveling to Mexico to win the infamous Decatriathlon, an almost incomprehensible ten-times Ironman race requiring athletes to swim 38 kilometers, bike 1800 kilometers and run 422 kilometers. In addition to winning over the multiple Ironman format, Erik also won stage race triathlons, including Ultraman Hawai'i and Ultraman Europe. He finished his career as a professional ultra-distance triathlete by racing Race Across America. Beginning his athletic career as a ultra-distance runner, Erik also performed at the very highest level in the world of 100 kilometer racing. In 1992 he placed 3rd in the World 100 Kilometer Championships, breaking the North American record. Here is a story of an athlete who dedicated his time as a professional athlete to winning some of the most demanding ultra-endurance competitions on the planet. Triathlon the Hard Way is a riveting sports narrative and a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at what makes ultra endurance athletes keep going. Erik shares the details of what it took to train for these impossible events - the highs and the lows - along with the psychological strategies needed to survive life beyond the Ironman distance.

Paul Hassett loves running. Running, as in running up a mountain and back down. Running, as in running 100 miles in a single day. Running is Paul's way of coping with depression, and the way that he has found to really let go of the past. Many times in his life, he has pulled the pain of the events in his life inside of him and held tight. But he finally found something that helped him release it all. Running long distances has helped Paul heal, forgive, and grow. Beginning with a 5K race, and ultimately arriving at a 100-mile race, Paul's progression through the distances follows a direct line along his journey of learning to positively deal with his depression. Running has saved Paul's life. Join Paul in his cathartic journey through the pain, the healing, and his first year of ultrarunning.