Advice for orienteers on Ash Dieback disease

On sale from 10^th August 2009

‘Tea With Mr Newton’ – 100,000 Miles the longest ‘Protest March’ in history - by Rob Hadgraft

Published by Desert Island Books

Foreword by Prof. Tim Noakes
(author of ‘Lore of Running’)

224-page illustrated hardback

ISBN 978-1-905328-64-2   Price £18.99

Order from: www.desertislandbooks.com or

Amazon.co.uk, on or after 10^th August,
or Pre-order now via any bookshop

      “At last the definitive autobiography of the late truly great ARTHUR NEWTON." 
     Arthur Newton a ‘self-taught’ runner became an ‘ultra-distance’ running legend.   In his later years he became guru to many international runners who were happy to ‘take tea’ with him at his home in Ruislip, London.   He was a very modest and private man.  He always avoided publicity and often never revealed physical or medical injury problems he had during his competitive years.   Some of his private life he does mention in his books but now at last we have a far more detailed version.   It makes fasinating reading.  

      After very lengthy and detailed research, experienced author Rob Hadgraft launches his fourth book about a ‘running legend’.   He reveals many previously ‘unpublished’ facts about his every day life style, relevant to his training and racing.  He also records previously little known or published reports on some of the events Arthur took part in as well as illustrations. 

      I recommend this as a very readable book and a ‘must have’ read for anyone with any ‘historical’ interest in the people and the races which have made up our chosen sport of ‘road-running’ ”.                          Ian Champion

        Additional to the above Arthur Newton himself, wrote four books.   ‘Running’, ‘Running on Three Continents’, ‘Races and Training’ and ‘Commonsense Athletics’.   They are now out of print and are rare items to buy.   However they are still available from some libararies.    For any aspiring road runner, the book ‘Running’ is worth a read.  

       It tells the full story of how Arthur ‘taught himself’ to run and why during the 1920’s and 1930’s.  (He raced and trained, some walking but mostly running, 109,000 miles).  He won the ‘Comrades’ Ultra distance road race in South Africa five times.   He set new record times for the London to Brighton race in UK, Bath to London 100 miles on the road, 24 hours on the track and ran in Trans-continental races in in America. It is very interesting reading and nearly all of its aims and principals are still applicable today.  

      For inexperienced runners and those prepared to seek and learn it can be of benefit as a guide to find out what is ‘best for the individual’ runner.   There are various running styles to suit various needs and this book will give you some ideas as to how to find out what is best for you.