The Endurance Artist

”[Gary Cantrell’s] backstory is as fascinating as the races themselves, and this is the definitive telling.” – Alex Hutchinson, New York Times bestselling author of Endure
“Lazarus Lake may be a sadist, but he isn’t a simple trickster. He’s dealt with medical torture, profound penury, and relentless pain. He’s turned it all into creation and inspiration. He’s also walked across the country three times. I had long known about [his] races, and I’ve been delighted to learn about the man behind them through Jared Beasley’s wonderful book.” – Nicholas Thompson, CEO, The Atlantic


“One of the most compelling narratives to emerge from the running world in years… this is a story about human complexity, about the paradoxes we all carry, about how the most interesting lives are often within normal people who just need to be tested beyond perceived limits.”
– David Callahan, CEO, Ultrasignup
“This is a truly brilliant book. Even if you’re not a runner, you’ll discover a fascinating story of sport and human endurance.” * Ultrarunning World Magazine *
“A superb exploration of one of the most interesting people of our times.”
– Jared Campbell, 4-time finisher of the Barkley Marathons
“If you’re a runner—you’ll devour it. If you’re not a runner—you’ll devour it. Beasley finally delivers the tale so many of us have waited to read, a book as rambunctious, bloody and—yes, beautiful—as its subjects.” – Chris Solomon, contributing editor at Outside magazine, writer for The New York Times, National Geographic * *
“Captivating. Irresistible. Why does anyone do this?”

– Tom Foreman, Emmy-award-winning journalist, CNN
“The Endurance Artist is compulsively readable; fans will devour it in one sitting.” * Canadian Running *
“Gripping… Laz emerges as a compassionate and complex character, his story is utterly fascinating. Brilliant!” – Lord Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley, 13th Bishop of Newcastle and Member of the House of Lords, ultrarunning enthusiast
“A cast of characters as exceptional as they come.”
– Marshall Ulrich, Best-selling author of Running on Empty

Jared Beasley is an author and journalist who never expected to find himself embedded in the world of ultrarunning. A former actor with a degree in theatre and literature from The University of Alabama, he brings a human perspective to a sport that is at times rife with danger and denial.

His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, Canadian Running, and Outside. He has a monthly column in Ultrarunning Magazine, “Detours of the Lost and Found.” He’s been a featured guest on several podcasts, including Ultrarunner, Author’s Stories, Bad Boy Running, and The Shakeout Podcast.

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