Each year, thousands of competitors pit themselves against the elements, extremes of geography and their own psyches to take part in the world's hardest physical challenges. From the cold of the highest peaks to the unforgiving heat of the desert, by sea, bike or foot seemingly ordinary people are undertaking extraordinary feats. Whether seeking to prove themselves as athletes, or attempting to escape the humdrum, one thing they all have in common is an unbreakable drive to test the very limits of their endurance. Mental! looks at over 60 of the most extreme marathons, triathlons, bike rides and other iconic endurance events from around the globe, taking in the hottest, coldest, highest, and most remote locations in the world. With a detailed description of each event, featuring personal stories from the competitors, this book offers massive highs and excruciating lows, and shows just what we can achieve in pushing the boundaries o human endeavour.

Each year, thousands of competitors pit themselves against the elements, extremes of geography and their own psyches to take part in the world's hardest physical challenges. From the cold of the highest peaks to the unforgiving heat of the desert, by water, bike or foot seemingly ordinary people are undertaking extraordinary feats. Whether seeking to prove themselves as athletes, or attempting to escape the humdrum, one thing they all have in common is an unbreakable drive to test the very limits of their endurance. Are You Tough Enough? looks at over 60 of the most extreme marathons, triathlons, bike rides and other iconic endurance events from around the globe, taking in the hottest, coldest, highest and most remote locations, and the toughest, cruellest and wackiest challenges. With a detailed description of each event, featuring personal stories from competitors, this book offers massive highs and excruciating lows, showing just what we can achieve in pushing the bounds of human endeavour.

And Brian is not the only one who has notched up three digits of gruelling athletic endeavour. The 100 Marathon Club, also known as the Hell's Angels of Running and Running Sluts (running one race whilst thinking of another) is growing in number every year. This is a club with no prejudices and only one prerequisite for membership - the completion of 100 marathons. It is full of colourful, contrasting characters with idiosyncratic personalities and diverse lifestyles. They make up a gargantuan melting pot of humanity linked by one common desire - to run...and run...and run. But who would want to run 100 marathons or more? And why? How do they find the time, the money, the energy? Are they crazy? Find out by reading their stories. Some will make you laugh, others will make you cry, some may even inspire you to run a marathon. Believe it or not, these are ordinary, everyday people like you. Although when you have finished laughing and crying, you may still not be sure whether they are crazy or passionate. But you - as they do when they run - will have a lot of fun along the way.