Review
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'An epic account of an extraordinary achievement by a
remarkable athlete.' (Richard Askwith, author of Feet in the
Clouds and Running Free); 'The world of ultra running has many
ordinary people doing extraordinary things, but none more so than
Steve Birkinshaw. In this book Steve tells his own remarkable
story from his childhood exploits in orienteering to his
record-breaking six-day 214-peak Wainwrights run. The aftermath
of this huge effort saw Steve suffer with an unknown illness
linked with igue, and he tells this side of his story with
openness and emotion. There is no In Hell is a story of a
family man with a yearning for adventure in the hills, and is a
book that any runner will love.' (Andy Nuttall, ULTRA magazine);
'A very entertaining, revealing and highly readable account of
this top ain runner's trials and tribulations on trail races
and record-breaking attempts - most notably the Wainwrights. It's
a fascinating in into what drives Steve to push himself
quite so incredibly hard. A must-read this summer!' (Claire
Maxted, Trail Running magazine); 'This is a captivating account
of a seriously extreme journey. The tales of preparation and
recovery are as fascinating as the meticulous detail of the
record breaking run itself.' (David McCabe, Editor of The
Fellrunner magazine); 'He modestly describes the toll it takes as
his body gradually disintegrates over the seven days, and also
the difficulties the igue give him afterwards. If you like
extreme challenges, this is a brilliant unravelling of the
preparation and effects of Steve's navigation to and through
hell.' (Steve Chilton, fell runner and author of several popular
running books); 'This book has been a discovery of a thorough,
deep, loving, thoughtful man with a core of steel. Steve took the
level of what humans (or rather Steve) can endure to the furthest
possible imaginable level.' (Nicky Spinks, elite fell runner);
'Tough, gritty, humane, and funny, Steve shows the sport and the
community in its true light. An inspirational tale of human
endeavour in the ains, this is the stuff of fell-running
legend'. (Jasmin Paris, elite fell runner); 'A wince-inducing
in into what it takes to break epic fell-running records,
told with the sort of reluctance and humility that makes
Birkinshaw all the more of a hero. I loved the book.' (Damian
Hall, outdoor journalist and ultramarathon runner); 'The book is
a fascinating account of what makes Steve tick and I am seriously
impressed with both Steve's determination and the book. The book
is a compelling read by a nice but extremely tough person that
has pushed his body to the limit of what it can take.' (Billy
Bland, Bob Graham Round record holder and former champion fell
runner); 'There is no in Hell is a frank, personal, yet
inspiring account of an ultra-endurance feat few could
comprehend. Steve's book is a tour-de-force of the Lake District
Wainwrights, detailing a once in a generation record, which was
only possible thanks Steve's lifetime of ain running
experience, and the strength of personality to suck up suffering
like few could imagine.' (Shane Ohly, Race Director - Berghaus
Dragon's Back Race). There is no in Hell puts meat on the
s of the raw statistics of such a mammoth physical and mental
effort, without pathos. He [Steve] provides an in into how
he came to be one of Britain's top ultrarunners; the build-up to
the Wainwrights attempt and the massive a of help he had
from many people to enable him to accomplish his astonishing
feat. (Bob Smith, Editor of Grough magazine); There is no in
Hell shares Steve's quest to break a record. You'll be side by
side with him, experiencing his preparation, training and
gruelling mile-by-mile run. This book will give you confidence to
keep working towards your goals. (Evie Serventi, Running
magazine).
About the Author
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Steve Birkinshaw is a legend within the fell running and
ultrarunning communities, both for the extreme distances he can
run in the roughest terrain and his ability to push himself to
the absolute limit. Born in 1968, he began orienteering by
himself at the age of seven. Since then his enthusiasm for
running has never diminished, and over forty years later he is
still happiest running with a and compass through bogs and
rocks in the wind and rain. He was won many fell races, adventure
races and orienteering events, including over twenty wins in the
elite class at ain marathons and victories at the Lakeland
100 and the Dragon's Back Race - the legendary five-day,
300-kilometre run along the ainous spine of Wales. Steve
works for Newcastle University as a hydrologist and has been
married to Emma Moody for the past twenty years. They have three
children and live near Keswick in the Lake District.