If you’re looking for inspiration, motivation, or simply a great story about running, you’re in the right place! Whether you’re chasing a marathon PB, just getting started, or simply love reading about running, these books will fire up your motivation and remind you why you fell in love with the sport.
This updated 2025 list includes my favourite reads, from inspiring memoirs to practical training guides. So grab a cup of tea, get comfy, and let’s dive into some of the best running books every runner should have on their shelf.
Running Like a Girl – Alexandra Heminsley
In Running Like a Girl, Alexandra Heminsley shares her journey from struggling to find her place in the running world to completing five marathons across two continents. With humour and honesty, she tackles ambition, body image, and the emotional highs and lows of training.
Heminsley reminds us that running can transform not just our bodies but our minds too. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned athlete, her story is full of relatable moments that will make you laugh, nod, and feel completely seen.
Buy Running Like a Girl, on Amazon here
Jog On: How Running Saved My Life by Bella Mackie
In Jog On, Bella Mackie shares her personal journey of using running to overcome anxiety and depression. Honest, funny, and deeply human, she shows how running helped her rebuild confidence and regain control of her life.
This book is a heartfelt reminder that running can be more than just physical exercise – it can be a form of therapy and self-discovery. Whether you’re an experienced runner or just starting out, Jog On will inspire you to lace up and find peace in the miles.
Grab your copy of Jog On on Amazon
Eat, Drink, Run: How I Got Fit Without Going Too Mad by Bryony Gordon
In Eat, Drink, Run, journalist Bryony Gordon shares her hilarious, honest journey toward fitness. She opens up about mental health, body image, and how running helped her find joy rather than pressure in moving her body.
Her approach to fitness is refreshingly real – no guilt, no perfectionism, just balance. It’s a brilliant read for anyone who wants to fall back in love with running without losing their sense of humour.
Get your copy of Eat, Drink, Run on Amazon
Eat and Run by Scott Jurek
Ultramarathoner Scott Jurek is one of the world’s greatest endurance athletes, and in Eat and Run, he tells his story of athletic achievement, discipline, and plant-based living. Blending memoir, nutrition advice, and race-day reflections, this is a fascinating insight into what it takes to push beyond limits.
It’s ideal for anyone interested in long-distance running, vegan nutrition, or the mental strength it takes to go further than you ever thought possible.
Get your copy of Eat and Run on Amazon
The Ultra Marathon Man by Dean Karnazes
If you love stories that make you want to put your trainers on immediately, The Ultra Marathon Man is for you. Dean Karnazes shares his extraordinary adventures, from running 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days to tackling deserts and mountains in extreme conditions.
His energy is infectious, and his passion for pushing boundaries will make you see running in a completely new light.
Get your copy of The Ultra Marathon Man on Amazon
Running with the Kenyans by Adharanand Finn
Adharanand Finn’s Running with the Kenyans is part travel writing, part running exploration. He journeys to Kenya’s Rift Valley to train alongside some of the world’s best runners, uncovering what makes them so special.
From community spirit to dedication and simplicity, Finn captures what makes running such a powerful force. It’s a must-read if you’re curious about performance, mindset, and cultural connection through running.
Grab your copy of Shoe Dog on Amazon
Good for a Girl – Lauren Fleshman
In Good for a Girl, former professional runner Lauren Fleshman opens up about her experiences in the world of competitive athletics. She shines a light on the unique challenges faced by women in sport, from body image pressures to systemic gender inequality. Her voice is honest, insightful, and full of passion for change. This isn’t just a running memoir; it’s a call for a fairer and more supportive sporting culture. A must-read for anyone interested in how sport shapes identity and empowerment.
Buy Good for a Girl – WINNER OF THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD on Amazon
The Pants Of Perspective: Anna McNuff
If you love running, travel, and a good laugh, The Pants of Perspective is a must-read. In this uplifting memoir, Anna McNuff takes you on her 3,000-kilometre running journey through New Zealand’s stunning wilderness. From mountain peaks to muddy trails, she shares the highs, lows, and hilarious moments that come with such an incredible adventure.
Anna’s storytelling is warm, funny, and completely relatable. She captures the raw beauty of the landscape and the inner strength it takes to keep going when the going gets tough. It’s not just a running story, it’s a reminder of what happens when you step outside your comfort zone and chase something extraordinary.
Grab your copy of The Pants of Perspective on Amazon.
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running: Haruki Murakami
In What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, renowned novelist Haruki Murakami reflects on his life as both a writer and a runner. Blending memoir and meditation, Murakami explores the parallels between the discipline of running and the art of creativity. His quiet, thoughtful approach offers a refreshing perspective on endurance, solitude, and self-motivation.
This book isn’t packed with training tips or performance advice – instead, it invites you into Murakami’s mind during long runs and marathons, where he finds clarity, focus, and inspiration. Whether you’re a fan of his novels or simply love the reflective side of running, this one will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
Get your copy of What I Talk About When I Talk About Running on Amazon.
Shoe Dog – Phil Knight
Phil Knight’s memoir, Shoe Dog, tells the story of how Nike came to life — from selling trainers out of his car to building a global brand. It’s an inspiring read about entrepreneurship, creativity, and perseverance, and every runner will enjoy discovering how one man’s dream became the shoes we wear today.
Grab your copy Running with the Kenyans on Amazon
Whether you’re looking for motivation, mental strength, or a few practical tips, these books are proof that running is about far more than the miles. They’ll make you laugh, cry, and feel inspired to lace up and hit the road.
So next time you’re resting after a long run, pick up one of these reads – they’ll keep your motivation going strong through every training block and beyond.
