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“Malcolm’s enthusiasm
for running is infectious and there were several occasions while I was
reading the book when I felt compelled to don my running gear and brave
the great outdoors even though the weather conditions were appalling.
A Marathon Odyssey is a thoroughly good read and should appeal to runners
and non-runners alike. It is a book that testifies that everything is
possible if one has the ambition and resolution to pursue a dream. I
really enjoyed the book. Indeed, I wouldn’t have read it as quickly
if I hadn’t found it totally absorbing”
– Jack Brooks
Secretary, 100 Marathon Club, United Kingdom
(The Running Club for runners who have run 100 marathons or more)
“A Marathon Odyssey”
will surely inspire runners across the world, from those new to the
event to established, experienced marathon enthusiasts. Its blend of
well researched history combined with personal accounts of Malcolm’s
introduction and progression to experienced marathon runner make this
a thoroughly enjoyable book. A must for anyone contemplating the 26.2
miles, those already hooked on the event, and anyone interested in marathons
and running in general.”
– Scott Umpleby, Race Director of Brathay Windermere Marathon,
and 10 Marathons in 10 Days Challenge, United Kingdom
“Malcolm Anderson
creates for himself a worthy quest and sets about methodically building
toward it. In what in less skilled hands could be a dull retelling of
workouts run and benchmarks accomplished, A MARATHON ODYSSEY comes alive
under Malcolm’s care due in large part to his constant sense of humor
and his clean, clear writing style. Coming out the other end of his
noble quest, Malcolm is quick to acknowledge that his is far from the
only odyssey being completed on the roads to and from Marathon”
– Rich Benyo, Editor of Marathon & Beyond, and author of 18 books
on running, health and fitness.
"It is a great idea
to weave reflections on the history and culture of running around the
motif of a journey to several races, and Malcolm Anderson's writing
is always lucid and enjoyable."
- Roger Robinson (author of Running in Literature, and co-author,
with Kathrine Switzer, of 26.2 Marathon Stories).
"I’m a “non-avid”
reader, but I had available time to start reading this exciting book
on a Saturday afternoon and finished reading all 394 pages by the next
evening!!! As a non-runner who has attended more than 300 marathons
to be a volunteer or support person, I want to add that Malcolm gave
us a book that I “couldn’t put down” until I had read every page!!"
- Lenore Dolphin, North American 100 Marathon Club
“It was only a little
after I had been introduced to Malcolm on Sunday night that I was told
he was an accomplished author on marathon running. As an avid reader
and collector of running books I was immediately interested. I’ve since
gotten my hands on Malcolm’s latest work “A Marathon Odyssey” which
I can absolutely confirm is a great read. I’m sure Malcolm wouldn’t
mind me saying that he’s not a current world record holder nor likely
to set one soon, but it’s his ‘ordinariness’ that made his book such
a good read. There was so much I could identify with and recognise from
my own experience. The text is beautifully written and would be perfect
for anyone who has an interest in marathon running.”
- Mick Rice (Athenry Athletic Club, Ireland).
Comments from
Marathon runners
‘I have had may
happy sessions on the machines at the gym reading your book (Odyssey)
and will move on the others. What a pleasure that was, you thoroughly
entertained and inspired me. What an adventure to share. I just hope
that with lots of effort I can get even close to that level of accomplishment
with half the humour and enjoyment’. (Ontario)
I completed reading
your book and thoroughly enjoyed it. A good read and inspirational!
I also recently read McDougall’s book - Born to Run. That was also a
great story – really he presented a model for living! The two books
have inspired me to run more (Ontario)
For Christmas I
treated myself to your A MARATHON ODYSSEY. I must say it was a good
read … A great book for us old runners, with a few under our belt. Loved
all the facts peppered throughout, and also the personal thing about
your marathons, so much I could identify with. A great book. (United
Kingdom)
“I am really enjoying
your book. I feel like I know you so well from reading it, mainly because
you are "one of us" rather than some elite racer or expert doctor. You
therefore struggle with the same issues we all struggle with (need to
run today but don't want to, what gadgets do I need and what don't I
need, need to run but work won't let me, etc.) and I can relate to that.”
(Washington State)
“I am so enjoying
your book! Love your sense of humor and writing style...like someone
I'd like to visit with.” (South Dakota)
“Finished your book.
I like your style with lots of humour. I can see where a runner - especially
a novice or a fanatic like me - would enjoy it.” (Florida)
“I have a work colleague
here who has turned into a runner due to me lending him the Odyssey
book in the summer. He cites your book as the inspiration.” (United
Kingdom)
“I thoroughly enjoyed
reading your book and will recommend it to anyone”. (Running Tours operator)
“I enjoyed reading
your books "A Marathon Odyssey" and "The Cayman Islands Marathon". They
are very well written. Much more interesting and personal than most
running books that I have read” (Ontario).
“I feel like I've
known you for years! What a wonderful story you tell” (Washington State).
“I must admit I
was a little dubious about how much interest I would have in a book
describing what was only your second, third and fourth marathon. Especially
as I’ve already run 111 marathons with another due this weekend. But
it was brilliant - I couldn’t put it down; that’s an exaggeration, but
only slightly - I only put it down when we were on our way out. The
very fact it was over half way through before you describe actually
running the first of your featured marathons was a stroke of genius.
The build-up made the book for me” (United Kingdom).
“What makes the
book good, and it is good, is Malcolm's writing style. He has a rather
good talent at turning a phrase and when you might be tempted to let
your eyes glaze over a bit and skip ahead (it is 394 pages long, but
the pages are small), you would be wise not to do so as each paragraph
usually has a tongue-in-cheek witticism hidden somewhere in it” (Utah).
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