Dirtbag Dreams

‘A fascinating book, filled with brilliantly selected stories, that makes an important contribution to our understanding of the development of mountain, ultra and trail running.’Michael Crawley, author of To the Limit‘This book started as a scientific survey of the sport of mountain/ultra/trail running and evolved into three years of prodigious work by a very dedicated author – there is absolutely nothing else like it. This is the definitive description of a sport loved by millions. I highly recommend Dirtbag dreams – everyone will become excited and learn things they did not know.’Buzz Burrell, ultrarunner and co-founder of Fastest Known Times‘A fascinating history of our great sport.’Damian Hall, runner and author of In It for the Long Run‘Carl Morris provides an illuminating and greatly needed genealogy of the mountain-ultra-trail sporting phenomenon. Dirtbag dreams is full of vivid storytelling of key races, told with the precision of an academic and the warmth of someone who clearly loves the sport. Highly recommend!’Sabrina B. Little, author of The Examined Run‘Dirtbag dreams is as ambitious as running 100 miles. Carl Morris surveys the quirky historical strands of pedestrianism, alpine running and fell running that underpin today’s mountain, ultra and trail running scene. For anyone serious about the sport, this book will help you understand where we’ve been and where we’re headed. Read it and every run will feel just a bit richer.’Doug Mayer, author of The Race That Changed Running‘Books about running can be as dull as a ten-mile road race in the Illinois flatlands, and I say that as a keen fell runner. This book isn’t.’Rose George, The Spectator Australia

Carl Morris is a sociologist, historian and social psychologist at the University of Lancashire. He has spent much of his life climbing and moving through the mountains, and over the last decade has become a committed fell and ultra runner.