8 Inspiring Books for Runners, Travellers and Adventure Seekers
- Laura Whyms
- Aug 9
- 8 min read
Looking for your next inspiring read? Whether you love running, trail running, travel or exploring somewhere new on foot, the right book can make you want to lace up your shoes and head straight out the door.
At Run Weekends, we believe that running is about much more than simply getting from A to B. It can take you to new countries, across mountains, through remote landscapes and into places you might never discover from a tour bus. A running holiday can be an opportunity to see a destination differently, meet like minded people and turn a love of running into a genuine adventure.
So we asked our Run Weekends community to share some of the books that have inspired their running, travels and adventures.
From long distance running and ultra marathons to life in the mountains and journeys across the world, these eight books are packed with stories that might just inspire your next running adventure.
Contents
Running the World by Nick Butter
If you love the idea of combining running with travel, Running the World is an obvious place to start.
Nick Butter set himself an extraordinary challenge: to run a marathon in every country in the world. His journey took him across the globe, introducing him to different cultures, landscapes and people along the way.
What makes the book particularly inspiring for runners is the way it demonstrates just how much running can open up the world. A run doesn't have to be a familiar route around your local streets. It can be a way to experience a completely new country.
For anyone dreaming about running holidays abroad, running adventures or exploring the world on foot, this book is guaranteed to get your feet itching to travel.
Perfect for: runners who love travel, adventure and ticking new destinations off the list.
Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
Few books have done more to capture the imagination of runners than Born to Run.
Christopher McDougall's book takes readers into the world of long distance running, following the legendary Tarahumara runners of Mexico's Copper Canyons while exploring some of the history, science and characters behind endurance running.
It's a book about running, but it's also a story about adventure, resilience and discovering what the human body is capable of.
For trail runners in particular, the landscapes and characters make this a brilliant read. It captures the feeling of running somewhere wild and remote and reminds us why sometimes the best runs are the ones that take us away from the roads.
If you're planning your next trail running adventure, this is one to add to your reading list.
Perfect for: trail runners, long distance runners and anyone who enjoys a good adventure story.
The Way of the Runner by Adharanand Finn
What happens when a British runner heads to Japan to understand why the country is so passionate about running?
That's the starting point for Adharanand Finn's The Way of the Runner.
The book explores Japanese running culture, from the huge popularity of road running to the intense world of university running and the famous ekiden relay races.
It's particularly interesting for anyone who enjoys discovering how running fits into different cultures around the world. Running might be a universal sport, but the way people train, race and think about it can be completely different from one country to another.
And if reading about Japanese running culture makes you want to experience Japan for yourself, that's understandable.
A running holiday in Japan offers the opportunity to explore the country on foot while experiencing the landscapes, food, culture and traditions that make it such a fascinating destination for runners and travellers.
Perfect for: runners interested in Japan, running culture and combining travel with running.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist isn't specifically a running book, but it deserves a place on this list.
Paulo Coelho's famous novel follows Santiago, a young shepherd who sets off on a journey in search of a treasure he believes is waiting for him.
At its heart, it's a story about adventure, following your instincts and having the courage to leave the familiar behind.
And isn't that part of what makes travel so exciting?
Whether you're heading off on your first running holiday, signing up for a trail running adventure in another country or simply choosing a new route for your weekend run, there is something inspiring about deciding to go somewhere you've never been before.
Sometimes you don't know exactly what you'll find when you set off. That's rather the point.
Perfect for: anyone who loves travel, adventure and stories about following your own path.
A Shepherd's Life by James Rebanks
For a taste of the landscapes that make walking, hiking and trail running so special, A Shepherd's Life by James Rebanks is well worth picking up.
Rebanks writes about his life as a shepherd in the Lake District, offering an insight into farming, family, tradition and life in one of England's most beautiful landscapes.
While it isn't a running book, the landscape is central to the story. The mountains, valleys, weather and changing seasons all form part of everyday life.
For runners who love being outdoors, books like this can be a reminder of why we head into the hills in the first place. There is something special about moving through a landscape under your own steam and seeing places from a different perspective.
It's also a great choice if you're interested in UK trail running holidays and exploring Britain's landscapes on foot.
Perfect for: trail runners, countryside lovers and anyone who enjoys a strong sense of place.
The Rise of the Ultra Runners by Adharanand Finn
If your idea of a great running adventure involves going further, The Rise of the Ultra Runners should be on your list.
Adharanand Finn explores the world of ultra running and the people who choose to run distances far beyond the traditional marathon.
The book looks at what motivates people to run further, how ultra runners train and what happens when running becomes about much more than speed.
It's particularly inspiring if you've ever found yourself wondering, "How far could I actually run?"
Ultra running and trail running often go hand in hand, taking runners away from traditional race courses and into mountains, forests, deserts and remote landscapes.
You don't have to be an ultra runner to enjoy it, either. Sometimes reading about someone else's challenge is all the motivation you need to start thinking about your own.
Perfect for: ultra runners, trail runners and anyone who enjoys pushing their limits.
Running on Air by Sophie Raworth
Sophie Raworth's Running on Air brings together running and the experience of exploring the outdoors.
For many runners, running isn't simply about performance. It's also about how running makes you feel, where it takes you and the opportunity to spend time outside.
That is one of the reasons running holidays have become such a popular way to travel. Instead of spending a trip sightseeing from a car or bus, you can explore a destination through your own two feet.
Whether that's running along a coastline, following mountain trails or discovering a new city on a morning run, running gives you a completely different perspective on a place.
Perfect for: runners who see running as a way to explore, switch off and spend more time outdoors.
Driving Over Lemons by Chris Stewart
Fancy combining travel with a little escapism?
Driving Over Lemons tells the story of Chris Stewart's move from the UK to a remote farm in the Alpujarras mountains of southern Spain.
It's a funny and engaging story about leaving behind one life and attempting to build another somewhere completely different.
The book is another reminder that travel doesn't always have to be about ticking famous landmarks off a list. Sometimes the most rewarding adventures happen when you get away from the obvious route.
For runners and travellers, that can mean heading into the mountains, discovering a remote trail, staying somewhere small and local or spending a few days experiencing a destination at a slower pace.
And for anyone who has ever dreamed about escaping to the mountains for a few days of running, this might give you a serious case of wanderlust.
Perfect for: adventurous travellers, mountain lovers and anyone who enjoys a good escape story.
Why Running and Travel Make the Perfect Combination
There is a common theme running through all eight of these books: adventure.
Some are directly about running. Others are about travel, landscapes, people or taking the road less travelled. But they all capture something that we love about running at Run Weekends.
Running gives you a reason to explore.
A new destination becomes a route to discover. A mountain becomes a challenge to climb. A coastline becomes a trail to follow. And a new country becomes somewhere you can experience at running pace.
That's what makes a running holiday so different from a traditional holiday.
You aren't just visiting a destination. You're experiencing it.
You might run through mountain villages in Albania, discover trails surrounded by incredible scenery in Japan, explore the landscapes of Mongolia or experience somewhere completely new with a group of fellow runners.
And you don't need to be an elite runner to do it.
Our running holidays are designed for runners who want to combine running with travel, adventure and great experiences. There is time to run, but also time to eat, explore, relax and enjoy the destination.
The Benefits of Booking a Running Holiday
Explore somewhere new on foot
Running allows you to see places that you might otherwise miss. Trails can take you away from busy tourist areas and into landscapes, villages and viewpoints that are difficult to experience any other way.
Turn your holiday into an adventure
A running trip gives you something to look forward to beyond simply getting away. You have new routes to discover, new landscapes to experience and new challenges to take on.
Meet like minded runners
One of the best things about joining an organised running holiday is the people. You arrive as a group of runners and often leave having made new friendships and found people to share future adventures with.
Take the stress out of planning
Planning a running holiday independently can take a lot of work. Finding the right routes, accommodation, transfers, restaurants and places to run can quickly become complicated.
With an organised running holiday, those details are taken care of, so you can concentrate on enjoying the running and the experience.
Discover a destination differently
A running holiday isn't just about running. It's about experiencing a destination through its landscapes, food, culture and people. You might finish a trail run and sit down to a local meal, explore a new town after a morning run or spend the evening swapping stories with the other runners in your group. That's what turns a running trip into a real adventure.
Ready to Book Your Own Running Holiday?
If these books have you dreaming about your next running adventure, perhaps it's time to stop reading about adventures and start planning one of your own.
Explore our range of running holidays, trail running holidays and running trips and find your next destination.
Whether you're looking for running holidays in Europe, UK trail running holidays, running holidays abroad or a trail running adventure, our trips are designed to help you explore more of the world on foot.
Your next running adventure could be closer than you think.
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