Book Review
By Mike Cudahy
"When I stand at the beginning of 100 miles of moor,
mountain, valley and meadow, I am standing on the threshold of a dream." -
Mike Cudahy
Back in the 1970’s while youth
hostelling in the Peak District I discovered the existence of the Pennine Way
and as boys do marvelled over its mystery and wildness. My friends and I talked
of the miles of man swallowing bog and long arduous days battling weather and
hills to reach the romantically named Kirk Yetholm in the far northern land of
the Scots. In the early eighties we heard that someone had covered the 270 mile
route in less than 3 days only stopping to sleep for an hour or so each
day¹. If I heard the name of this super
being at the time I certainly didn’t remember it but I’ve never forgotten the
story that so amazed me.
Some 30 years later while browsing in
Waterstones armed with a birthday gift voucher from my children I came across
this book. Here it was, reprinted in a new edition, not just the story of that
incredible journey along the back bone of England but of many equally if not
greater ultra-excursions into the wild places of Britain. The book is much more
than an account of supreme feats of athleticism, giving an insight into the
motivations and character of the author himself. It portrays a man not lacking
in competitive spirit but who is more motivated by the aesthetic qualities of
his sport and the landscapes in which he undertakes it.
The book takes you back to a time long before isotonic drinks and
energy gels when sustenance could be and was attained through stopping on route
at the nearest chippy. The biggest aid
to ultra-running then (and probably still now) was the support of friends and
fellow club members. Cudahy emphasises time and time again his gratitude for
the love, friendship and support shown to him by a large group of people over
the years. His acknowledgement of their significant role in his achievements
probably comes in recompense for what at times sounds like harsh and grumpy
treatment from him when things weren’t going quite as well as he would have
liked. He acknowledges this side to his
character in the highly amusing account of his leadership of the winning team
in the High Peak Marathon, an event he has completed many times. The second
half of the book contains this and other shorter pieces written over the years
for his club magazine. Some of these pieces are extremely funny and
entertaining as well as recording the continuation of high adventure far into
the author’s mature years.
Highly recommended.
¹The
Pennine Way record now stands at an absurdly impressive 2 days, 17 hours, 20
minutes and 15 seconds (Mike Hartley, 1989)
Find it on Google Shopping here.
Chris Brumby - March 2012
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