The Race Against Time

Adventures in Late-Life Running

By: Richard Askwith

Narrated by: Richard Askwith

Brought to you by Penguin.

A transformational quest for the secrets of happy, healthy, whole-life running that will change the way you think about growing older.

Colourful, informative and inspiring, The Race Against Time is a story of cold science and heart-warming resilience; of champions and also-rans; of sprinting centenarians and forty-something super-athletes barely touched by age. Its heroes are experts and enthusiasts - scientists, coaches, runners - from many countries, each with a different story to tell.

This is a book for anyone who has ever felt the healing power of running – or simply wondered about the effects of ageing. It is both a very personal account of one man's journey from despair to hope, and an exhilarating guide, explaining how timely adjustments to lifestyle and training can slow the progress of physiological decay, while sheer human spirit can, if you are lucky, keep you running happily and healthily, all the way into extreme old age.

'Inspirational' - Observer

©2023 Richard Askwith (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

Inspiring and moving (Adharanand Finn)

Brilliant (Jo Pavey)

Solid

An audiobook that was both encouraging and depressing to me as a master’s runner. Very detailed and thorough.

Inspiring and comforting

Inspiring and comforting that you can and should keep on going in later life. Appreciate the author being the narrator.

Motivating/Inspiring

Just what I needed to get me back out there again. Chapter 18 was particularly inspiring.

Strangely Inspiring

While spending a great deal of time describing the problems with late life running Richard Askwith still managed to leave me inspired to pick up my pace and run a little (or even a lot) faster. The stars of late life running he highlights are nothing less than phenomenal. So glad I know about them now. My running life feels a little fuller and more joyful now.