The best 19 trail running books for inspiration and adventure

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall documents the evolution of the sport of running in humankind and investigates the question - are we as humans made to run? McDougall shares his experience of running with Mexico’s indigenous Tarahumara tribe, delving into how they have adapted to become some of the world’s strongest endurance runners.

Part of their culture, traditions, and spirituality, running is important in so many ways to the Tarahumara people. This book explains the holistic, medicinal, and lifestyle benefits behind a more minimalistic style of running, and suggests why we may all be better off stripping our running back to its basic, most natural form.

An open and honest account of author Bella Mackie’s own love/hate relationship with running, and an exploration into the inextricable link between running and our mental health. Following a dark period in her life, Mackie took up running, rather begrudgingly at first and without much hope. Slowly, step by step, running helped Mackie crawl out of the depths of her depression and anxiety.

Through her refreshingly unfiltered writing and humour, Mackie shares other inspiration stories and research into the link between exercise and medicine. In bravely baring her soul, Mackie makes us all feel less alone and more hopeful in our own struggles however big or small, and brings home the message that running any distance or speed can be a life-affirming experience.

A Runner’s High documents prominent ultra runner Dean Karnazes’ journey to become race-ready for the iconic Western States 100-mile ultra. Having first completed the race decades ago, Karnazes has since set records competing across the world, and is known for running 50 marathons in 50 days, across 50 of the US states.

Now in his mid-50s, Karnazes sets himself the challenge to once again stand on that start line with the world’s ultra running greats, but the path to get there is far from smooth. Karnazes’ writing is raw and honest as he discusses the complexities of training as you get older, and how his relationship and deep love for the sport has evolved through the years. A deeply relatable and humorous read.

Get lost in this immersive, true story from Anna McNuff, chronicling her amazing feat of traversing New Zealand on the beautiful yet challenging Te Araroa trail. Follow along with McNuff's 3000km journey from Cape Regina to Bluff through thick forest and across raging rivers. Her fastpacking point to point adventure won't fail to inspire you to push your own limits too.

Warning: This book will absolutely make you want to move to the Lake District. Why We Run is a touching and enthralling compendium of personal accounts of adventuring through the UK's most treasured and romanticised national park.

We hear from ambitious young athletes who fantasise about flying around all 325 miles (+116,000 ft of elevation) of the Wainrights in record time. But we also learn about the toll this ambition can take on one's health, as with the case of Steve Birkenshaw, whose revolutionary 6.5 day run redefined what's possible in the fells – but left Birkenshaw to spend years battling chronic fatigue.

But hardcore athletes only make up around a third of Ledbury's subjects. We're introduced to a new mother exploring the hills with her infant and reigniting her racing career in the process. We meet multiple runners over 75 years old, who share fantastic stories from decades past, as well as wise insights into the medicinal power of solitude. And in gentle, poignant contrast, we hear from runners who finally found a way to heal – from physical trauma, overwhelming anxiety, and irreparable loss – through their connection to this mountains, and ultimately to themselves.

Widely varied yet always fascinating, and all the way accompanied by Ledbury's excellent photography, this is the closest thing The Lakes will ever have to a People of New York style love letter.

Downhill From Here chronicles the highs and lows of when a self-proclaimed ‘ordinary runner’ decides to push the limits of what the body can do. In his mid-forties, single, and unfulfilled, Scot Gavin Boyter decides to pack it all in and tackle the gargantuan challenge of running the entire length of the UK from north to south.

The epic journey of over 1000 miles takes Boyter from the windswept John O’Groats to Cornwall’s Land’s End, with a fair few mishaps, wrong turns, and obstacles to overcome which Boyter recounts in his witty, idiosyncratic way. Following Boyter’s story will make each reader start to question if they, too, are capable of immeasurable achievements.

Another adventure from the infectiously enthusiastic Anna McNuff, this is the story of how one woman’s idea - to run the length of Britain barefoot - inspired a nation. It may sound like an exaggeration, but McNuff lit up the newsstands and captured the attention of thousands with her epic quest to cover the distance of 100 marathons from the Shetland Islands to London in the summer of 2019.

She’ll be the first to admit running shoeless for so far was a ‘huge experiment’, but McNuff wanted to play with the (im)possible and share the magic in adventure running. Throughout her journey, McNuff raised money for Girl Guiding and visited scores of groups across the country. By the time the book came out in the midst of the pandemic, stories of adventure and exploring the best of what Britain has to offer again inspired the nation, across the UK new runners laced up their trainers and found their own magic on the trails.

Your alternative to a daily diary or advent calendar, A Year on the Run shares one amazing and inspiring running story across the world for each day of the year. A coffee table work of art, each page is full of illustrations by Daniel Seex inspired by the stories told. Journalist and prominent ultra runner Damian Hall brings to life anecdotes of adventure and misadventure, and introduces prominent figures in the trail running world, such as the likes of Kilian Jornet and Lizzy Hawker.

When was the last time you set off on an adventure alone? Jenny Tough explores the beautiful, isolating, and transformative experience of fastpacking alone over a mountain range in six continents. If you’re a woman who has ever been told you can’t do something simply because you’re female, you need to read this book. Tough shares an honest account of her experience running in some of the world’s most remote and ‘dangerous’ areas. Her interactions with the locals and relentless self-questioning of the validity of some dangers we face as women, will both resonate, sadden, and empower. An important read.

Wild Running charts 200 of the best trail runs in Great Britain, collated, mapped and depicted by running writers and LFTO contributors Jen and Sim Benson. Chosen for their panoramic views, beautiful stretches of trail, and interesting terrain, these runs showcase the mecca that is Britain when it comes to all things trail.

The runs shared include directions, safety advice, and OS maps/GPX route data, with the routes on offer covering mountainous paths, rugged coastline, and forest. There’s options for both beginners to get a taste of the brilliant sport of trail running, and exhilarating ascents and technical sections for more advanced runners. This book will make you want to make the most of the outdoors on your doorstep.

Written by stand-up comedian Paul Tonkinson, 26.2 Miles To Happiness recounts one man’s journey to achieving the much lauded sub-3h mark in the London Marathon. Written with joviality, a dash of self-deprecation, and plenty of relatable moments that many runners will experience themselves, we live through the peaks and troughs of marathon training alongside Tonkinson. Rich with anecdotes and adventures with his comedian pals, including Michael MacIntyre and Bryony Gordon, Tonkinson takes us on his ‘tale of red wine and redemption’ and laugh-out-loud moments.

The 80/20 rule has become a widely recognised running training method used across the world; based on the concept that by training slower, we can run faster. Created by Matt Fitzgerald, the 80/20 method essentially dictates that 80% of your run training should be completed at an easy effort, and 20% should be harder sessions such as tempo, intervals, and hill reps.

In doing this, the theory is that the body is not stressed so much as to become burnt out or risk injury, but it is worked hard enough to increase in running fitness. This book lays out easily-digestible advice from Fitzgerald in terms of the amount of training load the body should be put under and the most practical measures of running intensity.

Drawing from his extensive experience of completing more than 25 marathons across the world, including scorching heat and icy terrain, Phil Hewitt shares a whimsical narrative of his journey from Berlin to New York. We’re whipped along for the ride as Hewitt unpicks the increasingly popular culture behind the marathon.

This book revolves around an average individual's compulsion for running marathons—an inclination shared by hundreds of thousands. It examines the highs and lows of marathon running, the driving force that propels one forward when the body pleads for respite, and asks the ultimate question - why?

The only man to win the Western States 100-mile endurance race seven years in a row, in this book Scott Jurek shares his journey to ultra marathon greatness, including his lifestyle, diet, and training which led him to compete with the world’s best endurance runners. Jurek also spent time with the Tarahumara tribe mentioned in McDougall’s book, Born to Run (see review above). A revealing and practical memoir that takes us into the inner workings of an ultra running legend.

In spring 2021, Nick Butter embarked on an ambitious quest to set a record for the fastest circumnavigation of Britain's mainland coastline on foot. Enduring extreme winds, relentless rain, and challenging terrains, he faced two broken bones and numerous injuries, completing two marathons daily for 100 consecutive days. Overcoming sleep deprivation and substantial weight loss, Nick covered 5,250 miles, running for over 12 hours daily, fueled by 8,000 calories. This is a story recounting his epic journey and how he managed to persevere even when it seemed like the cards were stacked against him. An epic account of human endurance.

Starkly different to the other books reviewed here, this memoir from the well-known Japanese writer Haruki Murakami outlines how he took up the sport and the influence it has had on his life and writing. Having completed a solo run from Athens to Marathon, the Norwegian Wood author recounts a four-month period leading up to the 2005 New York Marathon and his experiences travelling across the globe.

This book maps the humble beginnings of the Ultra Marathon de Mont Blanc, following key figures in its development and key facts about the course and community that came together to create an event now fundamental in the trail running calendar.

Based on interviews with the race founders, previous race winners, volunteers and race supporters, journalist Doug Mayer paints a picture of how the empire that is now the UTMB came to fruition. Mayer uncovers how the race has changed the course of the sport and how it still continues to be a contentious and important symbol.

This instructional advice book shares solid tips on how to running your optimal marathon and maximise your run training efforts. Experienced running coach Sam Murphy shares a runner-centric approach to simplify the marathon training process, whether you're a first-timer or aiming to improve past performances.

The program offers six training plans tailored to diverse levels of mileage, intensity, and experience, accompanied by invaluable insights on training, nutrition, racing, and recovery. Uncover strategies to set realistic goals, optimise diet for training, build mental resilience, maintain health, and navigate injuries.

If you’ve recently delved into the world of long-distance running and are in need of inspiration, this compendium of The World’s Most Famous Marathons by Enrico Aiello is for you. Aiello shares a guide to the 30 most renowned marathons in cities rich in culture and history from American classic like New York, to Iceland, Africa, Asia and Europe. Choose your next marathon from this list of inspiring races, each of which Aiello has also suggested sightseeing activities and travel tips for the area to help you persuade the whole family to come along.