Running Up That Hill: The highs and lows of going that bit further

Running Up That Hill is a celebration of endurance running. Of running ridiculous distances, through cities, over mountains and across countries. Distances that most people can 't imagine running. But sports presenter and radio host Vassos Alexander is hooked. Why else would he run an ultra-race in Paris, backwards, having missed the start' Why attempt the world 's hardest mountain race with a badly sprained ankle' And why try to follow in some legendary, 2,500-year-old footsteps in the most unforgiving event on the planet, the 153-mile Spartathlon in Greece' There's joy to be found in running ridiculous distances. Really there is. There 's the astonishing highs that it provides. The joy that comes from pushing your limits and exceeding your own expectations. The confidence and peace that it brings when you challenge yourself and succeed. It 's having belief in yourself and your capabilities. Vassos recalls his own attempts at these gruelling races, along with several ultra-running legends, including Scott Jurek, Jasmin Paris, Kilian Jornet, Dean Karnazes and Mimi Anderson, who testify to the transformative power of ultra-distance running. Together it 's a cracking tale of what keeps ultra-distance runners running, mile after mile after mile.