26.2 Marathon Stories

Anyone who has run a marathon can relate to "the wall". You either run into it, through it, or it collapses on you.

Despite assertions to the contrary, there is no such thing as an "easy" marathon even if the new generation of Africans appear to skip their way over the ultimate distance.

In their book 26.2 Marathon Stories, husband and wife co-authors Kathrine Switzer and Roger Robinson attempt to explain the mystique that has for so long set the marathon apart from all other athletic challenges. This chronology tracks the marathon from the very beginning.

In every marathon there are countless stories of personal triumph amidst the tragedy, the folklore of the famous marathons such as Boston, New York, London and even Rotorua.

In the marathon there are no losers, just some who go faster than others. This in-depth journey tells the story of those at both ends of the field and plenty in between.

The winners grab the headlines, medals and - these days - healthy cheques and rich endorsements, but anyone who goes the distance is a winner.

Many sportsmen and women who might have had lifetime hopes dashed by injury have been able to turn to the marathon.

Less than 1 per cent of those who cross the start line are winners or at least competitive. They grab the headlines but not all the column inches.

This comprehensively illustrated history of the great race highlights many of the best to ever challenge the distance, from Greek Kharilaos Vasilakos who won the first "official" marathon (in 1896) in a time of 3h 06m 03s to Kenyan Paul Tergat who, in 2003, dipped under 2h 05m.

In the same year, Paula Radcliffe set a women's world's best of 2h 15m 25s - less than 20 years on from the first women's Olympic marathon in Los Angeles in 1984.

It has been more than century in the making, but 26.2 Marathon Stories captures the torturous journey splendidly.

Pity though, there is no place for New Zealand great Allison Roe, who does not rate a mention despite her Boston-New York double in 1981, both in record times with the latter a then world's best.

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

RRP: $39.99