Tonkinson, Paul – The Bell Bookshop https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk Henley-on-Thames Fri, 15 May 2026 14:33:08 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cropped-Bell-Background-Blue-32x32.png Tonkinson, Paul – The Bell Bookshop https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk 32 32 Running Through Sand https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk/product/running-through-sand/ Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk/?post_type=product&p=55820 250KM IN THE SAHARA DESERT. 2 MONTHS TRAINING. CAN AGEING RUNNER AND AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR PAUL TONKINSON CONQUER THE WORLD'S TOUGHEST FOOT RACE?

]]> 'I loved every page' TIM VINE

'Hilarious and occasionally heartbreaking' TOBY JONES

'Moving, inspiring and laugh-out-loud funny' LISA JACKSON

250KM IN THE SAHARA DESERT. 2 MONTHS TRAINING. CAN AGEING RUNNER AND AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR PAUL TONKINSON CONQUER THE WORLD'S TOUGHEST FOOT RACE?

Ageing as a runner is no joke. Paul Tonkinson discovers that in running, as in life, you are gradually overtaken by a stream of young people wearing clothes you couldn’t get in to and in shoes you don’t recognise. He observes that your relationship with running changes – you no longer run as fast as you can, you run as fast as your body can handle, which is slow. So, embrace it.

Why not the toughest footrace on earth? The Marathon Des Sables, a week long, 250km self-sufficient sweat fest across the Sahara Desert. What could possibly go wrong?

Turns out… lots. While training for the event, calves explode, tendons pop, knees disintegrate. Years come and go, time seems to be running out as the race seems an impossible dream and then, in 2024 when fitness is finally achieved, a freak accident. Paul is run over by dogs, hospitalised, all hope is lost…

Spring 2025, the planets align. Tonkinson snags entry to MDS, two months till race time. It’s on – the last hurrah. Get the gear down from the attic, apply the toe jelly and find that mandatory whistle.

With such little time to train, he can’t compete any more that’s for sure. So the question is more basic: can he possibly finish?

]]> 26.2 Miles to Happiness https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk/product/26-2-miles-to-happiness/ Thu, 02 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk/?post_type=product&p=16084 ***WINNER OF THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2021 – 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.

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