Audiobook
£0.99
with membership

Hardcover
£9.67

Paperback
£8.99

Buy used £9.67

FREE delivery 28 March - 3 April. Details

Select delivery location

Used: Very Good | Details

Sold by Infinite_Books

Follow the author

Richard Askwith

Follow

Feet in the Clouds: A Tale of Fell-Running and Obsession Hardcover – 29 May 2004

by Richard Askwith (Author)

855

See all formats and editions

The concept of fell running is simple: a long-distance race that includes running up and down several tall mountains. Though rarely making the sports pages, it is a mass-participation sport in areas like the Lake District and Snowdonia - indeed, race organisers turn competitors away so that fragile mountain uplands are not irrevocably damaged by thundering feet. Fixtures like the annual Ben Nevis and Snowdon races, or the Borrowdale and Wasdale fell runs in the Lakeland valleys (20-mile-plus marathons), have remained local events attended by the whole community - the runners back at work the next day shearing sheep. In this volume, Richard Askwith explores the world of fell-running in the only legitimate way: by donning his Ron Hill vest and studded shoes and spending a season running as many of the great fell races as he can, from Borrowdale to Ben Nevis: an arduous schedule that tests the very limits of one's stamina and courage. Along the way he also meets the greats of fell-running - like the remarkable Joss Naylor, who to celebrate his 60th birthday ran the Lakeland fells non-stop for a week, and Kenny Stuart, the wiry Keswick man whose astounding records still stand for many of the top races, and Bill Teasdale, one of the sport's pioneers, still living in the same tiny cottage in the northern Lakes. Ultimately Askwith's obsession drove him to attempt the ultimate challenge: a circuit of the Lake District peaks within 24 hours. This is a portrait of one of the few sports to have remained implacably amateur, and utterly true to its roots - in which the whole point, indeed, is to run the ancient, wild landscape, and stay a hero within one's own valley. A chronicle of a masochistic but admirable sporting obsession, a touching exploration of one of the last genuinely sporting communities, and an insight into one of the oldest extreme sports.

Report an issue with this product

Print length

339 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Aurum Press
Publication date

29 May 2004
ISBN-10

1854109898
ISBN-13

978-1854109897
See all details

Christopher McDougall
23,685
Paperback
58 offers from £1.00
Steve Birkinshaw
617
Paperback
35 offers from £0.48
Adharanand Finn
2,771
Paperback
27 offers from £5.57
Haruki Murakami
7,915
Paperback
34 offers from £1.13
Adharanand Finn
2,605
Paperback
45 offers from £0.36
Richard Askwith
107
Paperback
21 offers from £8.77

Product description

Review

A minor masterpiece that will surely find itself among the William Hill contenders [for] Book of the Year. -- Frank Graham, Sunday Times Sports Book of the Week

A rousingly readable chronicle... The book wants for nothing in terms of rhythm and drama and tug. -- Christopher Bray, Sunday Times Culture

One of the most effervescent books about anything - never mind fell-running - that I have ever read. -- Dave Jones, The Fellrunner

Sports book of the season - a terrific story of fell-running and obsession. -- Blake Morrison, Guardian Summer Reading

[An] excellent book. -- James Eve, The Times

From the Publisher

Winner of the National Sporting Club's Best New Writer Award, shortlisted for the Boardman-Tasker Award and shortlisted for the William Hill Award.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Aurum Press (29 May 2004)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 339 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1854109898
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1854109897

Best Sellers Rank: 455,548 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 489 in Athletics
- 893 in Running & Jogging (Books)
- 1,082 in Climbing & Mountaineering (Books)

Customer reviews:
855

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Richard Askwith

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Richard Askwith is a mostly unremarkable middle-aged Englishman with some strong passions, including running, freedom, the countryside and writing.

His books tend to have sporting themes. For example: his cult book about fell-running, FEET IN THE CLOUDS (2004), which won him the Best New Writer prize at the British Sports Publishing Awards and was shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award; or his 2019 book, UNBREAKABLE: THE COUNTESS, THE NAZIS AND THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS HORSE-RACE, which won Biography of the Year at the 2020 Telegraph Sports Book Awards. Both books are being developed as films.

Richard's acclaimed 2016 book, TODAY WE DIE A LITTLE, is the definitive biography of Emil Zátopek, Olympic legend, Cold War hero and, many believe, the greatest runner of all time. It was shortlisted for the Cross Sports Book Awards. Two years earlier, RUNNING FREE: A RUNNER'S JOURNEY BACK TO NATURE (2014) was short-listed for the Thwaites Wainwright Prize.

Richard's latest book, THE RACE AGAINST TIME, describes an unexpectedly inspiring journey of discovery: a search for the secrets of happy, healthy, whole-life running. Published on 12 January 2023, it mixes science, reportage, interview, memoir and reckless participation to show how runners don’t have to lose hope just because age is eroding their powers. Richard, who is in his early sixties, considers himself reborn as a runner as a result of the experiences that went into this book, and he hopes that others will find his subject matter equally rejuvenating.

Richard's other books include THE LOST VILLAGE: IN SEARCH OF A FORGOTTEN RURAL ENGLAND (2008; named Non-Fiction Book of the Year in the 2009 Saga Grown-Up Awards); and PEOPLE POWER: REMAKING PARLIAMENT FOR THE POPULIST AGE (2018), a short, radical proposal (part of Biteback's "Provocations" series) for reforming British politics.

He is also co-author of LET IT GO (2012 & 2019), Dame Stephanie Shirley's inspiring account of her life as a champion of women's rights and philanthropy. And he has edited several books - including the acclaimed A HISTORY OF THE GREAT WAR IN 100 MOMENTS (2014) - for The Independent, where he worked from 1993 to 2016 in a number of senior roles including Executive Editor and Associate Editor.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5

855 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Reviews with images

See all photos

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from United Kingdom

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

EK

Very interesting book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 January 2024

Verified Purchase

Bought this for my grandson who does a lot of fell running says it's a good book

Helpful

hallelujahal

A brilliant introduction to fell running...and a hymn of praise!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 August 2018

Verified Purchase

Richard Askwith has written a superb introduction to the history, hagiography and heroes of fell running. The style becomes at times gnomic lapidary, zen-like in its focus and depictions of times and places and events beyond the ken of the average reader.
The book charts his own journey towards eventually completing the Bob Graham Round. It describes the greats of the past who’ve not only completed the round but also set new records for the attempts culminating in Billy Bland’s super 13 hour record...a record that lasted for so long it was thought that no one would ever get close.
However as I write this review, I do so bathing in the knowledge of Killian Journet’s incredible taking down of Billy Bland’s previous record by over an hour!
Paradoxically, the sport of fell running in this book is praised as a uniquely personal expression and private endeavour about being ‘in’ the mountain environment, yet this book has probably done more to bring fell running to the wider community than anything else. Read it, and learn, discover and enjoy it for what it is...an inspirational hymn of praise for running with one’s feet touching the clouds!

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

Buz Burrows

A wonderful reaffirmation

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 June 2023

Verified Purchase

A wonderful, reaffirming account of a man's love of the outdoors, of his fellow athletes (wherever of pack position) and his love of the tradition and history of fell running. This is a wonderfully written collection of memories, research, endeavour, passion, success, failures and, perhaps ultimately, the nature of one's resilience. A great read.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

JonD73

Feet in the Clouds, inspirational

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 November 2012

Verified Purchase

I am not what you would call one of lifes naturally built runners, at least not for endurance running. But then neither is the author of this book Richard Askwith and it didnt stop him from becoming obsessed with both the history of fell running and pushing himself physically and mentally to the limits to achieve a remarkable goal; the Bob Graham round.

I am a Cumbrian who now lives down South and works in London, so there is alot in this book that takes me back to my old home town, reminds me of where i grew up and the places i used to go. Having walked, climbed and mountain biked all over the Lakes, this book really adds colour to some of the fells, the towns, the characters who live there and gives me that desire to go back to it all. Only the need to keep earning a crust for the family keeps me down here now.

Since reading this book i have learnt that my cousin, a Cumbrian farmer, completed the Bob Graham 5 years ago at the age of 47; being somewhat younger i realise that i have no excuse now :)

The book has a number of facets to it; its a historical record and story of the great fell runners who established the sport, where they came from, what they achieved. Its also about one man's obsession to achieve a remarkable goal and find in himself the strength to do it. This second part of the book has a message to give that is one of commitment and what can be achieved if you really put your mind to it. It happens to be about fell running, but it could so easily be about swimming or climbing or any other sport for that matter.

A brilliant and well written read.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Mr. P. J. R. LEWIS

Magnificent & trully inspirational HIGHLY READABLE

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 July 2011

Verified Purchase

It certainly does help having a passing interest in the sport of Fell running if one want's to get the maximum enjoyment from this superb book because the majority of us will look on with a sense of awe in the superhuman exploits of Fell runners past and present with some names that even the seasoned runner may never have heard of.

Richard Askwith writes in a magnificently fluid style that makes the reader want to read the book from cover to cover.

I myself being born and bred in Wales are more familiar with the mountains of Snowdonia but his accounts of Fell running in the Lakes has made that part of Western England come alive and with names like Bill Teasdale, Peter and Kevin and Billy Bland and more especially the great Joss Naylor, his historical analysis of Fell running from it's early years to the sport it has become today was most interesting and extremely informative.

The dream of most Fell runners me included is to run the Bob Graham round and Mr Askwiths eventual realisation of that dream makes this book so inspirational that one almost feels one could emulate his achievement if one only trained that bit harder.

Having read the reviews before purchasing the book everything is true, this is alongside "Wild Trails to Lost Horizons" by Mike Cudahy one the most inspirational and motivating get out there and do it books i have ever read.

The writing style is supreme and maybe even those with no athletic talent or longing would enjoy reading it.

Superb in every way and should be on every weight watchers reading list.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Ms. O. L. Koepping

Inspiring respect for impossible dreams

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 December 2016

Verified Purchase

I wouldn't class myself as a fell runner, but I love the Lakes, big days out in the hills and a little bit of running. This was a great account of fell running, interweaving the history of the sport with its unfeasibly fit past and present heros, as well as the attempts by the author to complete the Bob Graham Round, which I had heard of as representing the dividing line between a jolly amateur "hill runner" and a "proper mountain runner". Previously I had in reality thought the latter category to be a bit unhinged, and pursuing a crazy, pointless objective, but by the time I finished the book I had huge respect for the discipline, hard work and bloody-mindedness that such an achievement requires. The book is also, as other reviewers say, very inspiring, and really captures the romantic, idealistic element of even thinking of some of these races. The chapter on the woman who won the first Dragon's Back race (in a team) was also very interesting, and one caught the author's respect for her grit and determination.
Someone who enjoys the hills and mountains in any way, not only fell running, would also like this book.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

Óscar

Rapidez de entrega

Reviewed in Spain on 16 November 2020

Verified Purchase

Fue para un regalo y a la persona que se lo hice le ha gustado bastante el libro

Translate review to English

nerdmom

Brilliant

Reviewed in the United States on 23 August 2017

Verified Purchase

Richard Askwith is a self conscious southern fell runner, making inroads into the mountain running communities in Cumbria, Yorkshire and Scotland. The book is about three things: the yearly racing calendar, history, politics and the current runners; Notable runners of the past and woven throughout the book are his attempts to run the Bob Graham round, and other personal feats of endurance. He interviews many of the big names and assimilates into a Cumbrian running community.

His observation of the world and the community he surrounded himself in is very sensitive. In one section he wrote about Wasdale Head: “It’s hard to imagine – or, at least, I find it so – that, scarcely twenty-five years ago, a part of England can have been so cut off from the comforts of modern life. Not that being without electricity necessarily implies hardship; but for those of us who have never known a world without electric lights and television and Hoovers and fridges, it’s a useful reminder that life in the late twentieth century Britain came in more than one from – and that the lives with the fewest mod cons were not necessarily the most impoverished.”

I came away from the book wanting more. I was sad to put it down, so I laced up my running shoes and went for a run.

2 people found this helpful

Hatchclan

Fun read and inspiring

Reviewed in Japan on 30 December 2016

Verified Purchase

This book will make you just want to put on your shoes and head for the hills! Well written and well crafted - bravo!

Don H

Great stroies of remarkable athletes

Reviewed in Canada on 15 November 2014

Verified Purchase

Fascinating, comprehensive account of a little-known sport. Great stroies of remarkable athletes.

Jason Zimmerman

Good Read

Reviewed in the United States on 22 December 2010

Verified Purchase

Askwith gives us a history of fell running in this interesting book. Anyone who runs, or more specifically, trail runs, will find a lot here to enjoy. The strength of this book really are the profiles of the fell runners themselves, a hardy lot who, although still with us, seem to speak to us from a bygone era. Kinda like I imagine my great-grandfathers would have been. From an American perspective, the historical minutia gets a bit tedious, however that's the only knock against this great read.

2 people found this helpful

See more reviews

Amazon Music Stream millions of songs	AbeBooks Books, art & collectables	ACX Audiobook Publishing Made Easy	Amazon Web Services Scalable Cloud Computing Services

Audible Download Audiobooks	Goodreads Book reviews & recommendations	Amazon Home Services Experienced pros Happiness Guarantee	IMDb Movies, TV & Celebrities

Kindle Direct Publishing Indie Digital & Print Publishing Made Easy	Shopbop Designer Fashion Brands	Amazon Warehouse Deep Discounts Open-Box Products	Amazon Business Service for business customers

Image Unavailable

Follow the author

Feet in the Clouds: A Tale of Fell-Running and Obsession Hardcover – 29 May 2004

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Product description

Review

From the Publisher

Product details

About the author

Richard Askwith

Customer reviews

Reviews with images

Top reviews from United Kingdom

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries