Description

Shortlisted for the 2015 Thwaites Wainwright prize for nature writing

Richard Askwith wanted more. Not convinced running had to be all about pounding pavements, buying fancy kit and racking up extreme challenges, he looked for ways to liberate himself. His solution: running through muddy fields and up rocky fells, running with his dog at dawn, running because he’s being (voluntarily) chased by a pack of bloodhounds, running to get hopelessly, enjoyably lost, running fast for the sheer thrill of it. Running as nature intended.

Part diary of a year running through the Northamptonshire countryside, part exploration of why we love to run without limits, Running Free is an eloquent and inspiring account of running in a forgotten, rural way, observing wildlife and celebrating the joys of nature.

An opponent of the commercialisation of running, Askwith offers a welcome alternative, with practical tips (learned the hard way) on how to both start and keep running naturally – from thawing frozen toes to avoiding a stampede when crossing a field of cows. Running Free is about getting back to the basics of why we love to run.

Publisher Review

"A joyous, eloquent and lyrical account of one man's lifelong love affair with running... Running Free is simply the prod you need to make you step off the pavement and into the wild" -- Martin Love * Guardian * "Exhilarating" -- Iain Finlayson * The Times * "A much needed breath of fresh air" -- Alexandra Heminsley * Independent * "An escape from the stopwatch tyranny of PBs and split times, this is a reminder of how to run for sheer joy" * Runner's World * "Intelligent, evocative, passionate and above all enjoyable" -- Simon Redfern * Independent on Sunday *