Promotional Information

MARGARET MEAD AWARD WINNER LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2021 LONGLISTED FOR THE RSL ONDAATJE PRIZE 2021 'Could transform your running forever' - Runner's World What we can learn from Ethiopian running culture – written by an anthropologist and 2:20 marathon runner who trained with the Ethiopians

Table of Contents

1 Special Air 2 I Could Have Been a Mesinko Player 3 Following Each Other’s Feet 4 So Good, So Far 5 Field of Dreams 6 Zigzagging to the Top 7 Crazy is Good 8 To Win in Rome Would be Like Winning 1,000 times 9 Why It Makes Sense to Run Up and Down a Hill at 3 a.m. 10 Where Does Energy Come From? 11 The Game is Worth the Candle 12 Taking the Air 13 Of Course They Are Trying to Kill Each Other 14 Running is Life Acknowledgements Index

About the Author

Michael Crawley is a 2.20 marathon runner who has competed internationally for Scotland and Great Britain. He is Assistant Professor in Social Anthropology at Durham University. This is his first book.

Reviews

Excellent
*Runner's World*

Engaging, warm and humane… A delight
*TLS*

Through reading this book you will come to understand that the heart and soul of running are to be found in Ethiopia. I welcome everyone to experience the Ethiopian love of running, and to come and have the same life altering experience that Michael had. Running is life!
*Haile Gebrselassie*

Inspiring ... evocative and easily paced ... Out of Thin Air peels back the layers of one of the world’s most extraordinary and unexplored sporting cultures, and reveals a powerful simplicity at its core.
*The Guardian*

Full of wonderful insights and lessons from a world where the ability to run is viewed as something almost mysterious and magical.
*Adharanand Finn*

Out of Thin Air is marvellous. Crawley is a superb writer, runner and anthropologist. On every page, you'll learn something new about running, and about the culture of the people in the world who do it best.
*Nick Thompson, CEO, The Atlantic*

An evocative and clear-eyed portrait of Ethiopian running
*Ed Caesar*

Out of Thin Air is a must-read ... We'd happily recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in the sport. For the keen runner, it's a must-have!
*Trail Running*

A deep dive into the rich and complex culture that produces some of the best runners the world has ever seen.
*Alex Hutchinson, author of Endure*

Fascinating ... This big-hearted tale will resonate with readers regardless of whether they’ve ever laced up a pair of running shoes.
*Publishers Weekly*

You don't have to be a runner to enjoy this book
*Woman's Weekly*