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26.2 Miles to Happiness

A Comedian’s Tale of Running, Red Wine and Redemption

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26.2 Miles to Happiness

By: Paul Tonkinson
Narrated by: Paul Tonkinson
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Bloomsbury presents 26.2 Miles to Happiness written and read by Paul Tonkinson.

WINNER OF THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2021 – SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT BOOK OF THE YEAR

The 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.

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.

With a supporting cast of fellow comedians, this is a warmly written and wonderfully honest adventure-through-sport that will both entertain and inspire.©2020 Paul Tonkinson (P)2020 Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Performing Arts Running & Jogging Sports Celebrity Comedy Inspiring Funny Witty Feel-Good Heartfelt Running Well
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Critic reviews

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.
Very good book... very funny, very insightful, very inspiring (Chris Evans)
Fabulous book (OJ Borg)
You don’t have to be a runner to enjoy 26.2 Miles to Happiness
Hilarious
The best book about running I have read (Nick Cohen)
All stars
Most relevant
For some reason the cover of this audiobook put me off downloading it for a long time?! No idea why. However, a fantastic audiobook. Great story telling, humorous, cleverly written. Not a runner myself (prefer being on two wheels) however this shouldn’t put you off listening!

Don’t Judge a Book (Audio) by its Cover

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As a ' Running Commentary' listener I was always going to download this. Would it live up to expectations though? Well yes, but not in a way I would have expected. I thought it would be just a funny look at running but it was actually moving as well. It reminded me of some of my own childhood stuff in the 80s . It also makes you think about your own running motivations...are we running away from something, why do we do it? Thanks Paul for your book and also to you and Rob for the podcast which has given me good company out on the roads and trails!

Lived up to expectations !

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Having listened to Paul’s Running Commentary podcast I was sure I would like his book, and this listen didn’t disappoint.

It’s so well written and even better spoken by the man himself, I found myself laughing out loud at certain parts, but it’s not a book that’s just after constant laughs.

Being a runner myself but definitely not in Paul’s league, I would recommend this to any runner and will be telling my club mates it’s definitely worth a listen. Don’t be put off by his sub three hour target and think this story wouldn’t relate to lesser runners, it really does and I’m someone who has run two, one at 4.50 and the other at 5.50.

A winning story

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Great job Paul superbly written and narrated kept me hooked throughout..cracking story...from one 80’s teen northerner to another - top man..the wife is reading it now and she loves it too and that’s after she read the equally brilliant Bryony...hope there’s more books in the pipeline

Brilliant writer,comedian and book

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Really enjoyed this book! It’s so easy to listen to and love it when the author reads the book. Well done Paul Tonkinson

Great book

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