The Long Run

“Elegant and erudite….The most resonant parts of [Menzies-Pike’s] narrative deal with her own personal loss, and how tightly it becomes interwoven with her experiences as a runner….Gorgeously written and extremely moving.” —The Atlantic

“Satisfies in every way.” —Oprah.com

“Menzies-Pike’s engaging book braids together feminist and literary theory, cultural criticism, history, and a moving personal narrative…Important and fascinating.” —Publishers Weekly

“You don’t have to be a runner to appreciate The Long Run.…Engrossing.” —Bustle

“Honest, funny, and moving.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This engaging memoir navigates the complexities, misconceptions, and the oppression of female runners in film, literature, and art throughout history. It will leave an impression on women and runners alike.” —Library Journal

“In The Long Run, Catriona Menzies-Pike illuminates one of running’s great contradictions: incredible restoration found through repeated breakdown. Drawing on her own journey from grieving daughter to confident racer, as well as the experiences of female pioneers who paved the way, The Long Run offers a convincing nudge for all of us to get out there and let the open roads work their magic.”
—Becky Wade, professional marathoner and author of Run the World: My 3,500-Mile Journey Through Running Cultures Around the Globe

“Catriona Menzies-Pike’s narrative opens up the possibility that we can redefine our world through running. She seamlessly and brilliantly weaves history with her own life in a way that feels both personal and accessible, shedding a unique light on the sport and the women who have pursued it.”
—Alexi Pappas, creator of Tracktown, essayist, and Olympic athlete

“Running is about so much more than exercise: running is about freedom, healing, introspection and community. It is about using your soles to search your soul—and this wonderful book captures that feeling so well. Running through these pages with Catriona Menzies-Pike is as rejuvenating as a dash down the trail where your burdens can be, if not left behind, at least carried more easily. This is a book of rebirth, effort, courage, and caring—the qualities few runners expect but the lucky ones find.” —Tom Foreman, author of My Year of Running Dangerously

“The Long Run weaves the rewards of a running life with the sport’s rich history. An educational, entertaining and soulful journey through the miles.”
—Deena Kastor, American Record holder and Olympic medalist, marathon

Catriona Menzies-Pike is the editor of the Sydney Review of Books. She has worked in digital media for a decade and her journalism and essays on feminism, literary culture, and politics have been widely published. She holds a PhD in English literature and has taught film, literature, journalism and cultural studies units to undergraduates since 2001. In 2008 she ran her first half-marathon, and five marathons and dozens of half marathons later, she’s still running.

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