Stairwell Books The great billy butlin race: the first and only footrace from john o'groats to land's end, paperback/robin richards

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How a Russian doctor and Billy Butlin brought Britain to the side of the road I very much enjoyed this book.

A wonderfully accessible look at the development and history of marathons, with particular emphasis on the difficult and enigmatic Barbara Moore.

Wishing Shelf In 1960, Britain was swept by a craze for marathons, embodied in an eccentric 56-year-old Russian: motorcycle champion, former Leningrad death row inmate, radical dietician Dr Barbara Moore.

Keen to exploit this new fad, holiday camp pioneer Billy Butlin organised the first and indeed only walking/running race from John O'Groats to Land's End.

Despite opposition, 715 participants started off, with the hardiest captivating the nation during that drab winter.

A fascinating and quirky story of daring, entrepreneurship, and good old 'British pluck' a story that deserves re-telling for the modern audience.

The first chapter of The Great Billy Butlin Race (titled The Footsloggers), was shortlisted for the inaugural Writers &Artists Working-Class Writers' Prize.