***WINNER OF THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2021 - SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT BOOK OF THE YEAR***'Utterly joyous!' - Bryony Gordon'The best book about running I have read' - Nick Cohen, The Critic'The funniest book about running I have ever read. In fact it is the only book about running I have ever read, but it is HILARIOUS!' - David Walliams'...insightful, inspiring and laugh-out-loud funny!' - Michael McIntyre'Pain. Hope. Misery. Joy. All the big stuff. Excellent.' - Dara Ó Briain'This book is funny (which I expected) and concerns running (ditto), but it is also exceptionally moving and profound. Don't be fooled: it's not really about completing a marathon. It's about life and all its joy and weirdness. Recommended to all.' - Miranda Sawyer'Very good book... very funny, very insightful, very inspiring' - Chris Evans, Virgin Radio'Fabulous book' - Radio 2The hilarious trials and tribulations of stand-up comedian Paul Tonkinson as he attempts to beat the much lauded 3-hour mark at the London Marathon. With a supporting cast of fellow comedians, this is a warmly written and wonderfully honest adventure-through-sport that will both entertain and inspire.Along the way, we are introduced to the characters helping Paul with his quest. Celebrity names such as Bryony Gordon, Russell Howard, Roisin Conaty and Vassos Alexander pop up with wit and wisdom, alongside an alpine adventure to the Mayr Clinic with Michael McIntyre that pushes Paul to the limit. And not forgetting the 'words of wisdom' and derision from Paul's anti-running friend, Richard.

Features contributions and guest appearances from celebrity names such as Michael McIntyre, Bryony Gordon, Russell Howard, Roisin Conaty and Vassos Alexander

Preface5.45 a.m. Race DayPart 1 Beginning: Miles 1-131 November. Five months before the marathon. A conversation with Richard2 Scarborough 1981. The First runLondon Marathon. Mile 13 2 January. Flat white orgy4 4 January. In da club5 Two days later. Bryony Gordan drags us south of the river6 Mid February. McIntyre Mayr madness7 10 February. This is a journey into time.Mile 10. Rotherhithe. Observations from the pack.8 Scarborough 1982, 5:30 a.m. Teenage kicks for free9 Crouch End. Dirty Burger. Richard gets behind the sub-3 goal10 Late February. Tuesday track. The voices, the voicesMile 13 Wapping. Halfway but NOTPart 2 The Monster: Miles 13-2011 What's that coming over the hill?12 Why this is not a misery memoir13 Happy talking, talking happy talk14 Early March. You are my heroMile 16. Isle of Dogs. Peaking15 Six weeks to go. The life of the hero16 Five weeks before the marathon in Cuba17 The hardest week. 26 March - 2 April. 58 1/2 miles18 PantsgateMile 18. Isle of Dogs to Canary Wharf. Crossing over19 York marathon. There are things we don't know we don't know20 Meaningful mantras. Rudeness21 The juicePart 3: The Battle: Miles 20-24Mile 20. Poplar. Here we go again22 Super Mario Catch-UpMiles 21, 22. Limehouse to Shadwell. Knocked out23 Black Tuesdays, 7 p.m. Three weeks before the marathonMile 23 1/2. Approaching the Embankment. A bearded intervention24 Two weeks before the marathon. Owning RichardPart 4 Tipping PointMile 24. Blackfriars. The magical possibilityPart 5 Better25 Mile 25. The final corner26 Finished26.2 BonitaAcknowledgements