26.2 Miles to Happiness

TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2021 WINNER – 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.

“You don't have to be a runner to enjoy 26.2 Miles to Happiness”

I couldn't put it down... insightful, inspiring and laugh-out-loud funny! Michael McIntyre
This book is that rare thing - something that actually makes me WANT to run another marathon. Utterly joyous! Bryony Gordon
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
Enjoyed it enormously. Pain. Hope. Misery. Joy. All the big stuff. Excellent. Dara Ó Briain
What a brilliant, funny and above all, inspiring book. I read it in three days flat. I literally raced through it as though running alongside Paul. Tim Vine
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, even those who jog no further than the fridge. Miranda Sawyer
Funny and captivating, even persuasive. A book that memorably and joyously illustrates how we can find our escape and ourselves by switching off from the rest of the world that actually switches us on. Robin Ince
Excellent... Extremely talented. Brilliant. Time Out
Very good book... very funny, very insightful, very inspiring Chris Evans, Virgin Radio
Fabulous book OJ Borg, Radio 2
You don’t have to be a runner to enjoy 26.2 Miles to Happiness The Scotsman
Hilarious Daily Mail
This inspiring and honest memoir is laugh-out-loud funny for experienced runners and couch potatoes alike. An absolute must-read Women's Fitness
A comfortable relaxed read... all in his unique and reliably hilarious voice Trail Running
The best book about running I have read Nick Cohen, The Critic

Paul Tonkinson has been a regular on the UK comedy circuit for over 25 years, playing both public gigs and corporate events, and regularly taking shows to the Edinburgh Festival. He was a presenter on Channel 4's Big Breakfast and has regularly appeared on the BBC, ITV and Sky1. Paul is one half of the podcast Running Commentary with Rob Deering. Paul also writes a monthly column for Runner’s World magazine.

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