In 1959, Alan Sillitoe published “The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner”, the story of Smith, a boy from a poor Nottinghamshire family who takes up running as a form of physical and mental release. Then, as today, running meant solitude – which for many people, Smith included, is one of its greatest attractions. “It’s a treat, being a long-distance runner,” he says. “Out in the world by yourself with not a soul to make you bad-tempered or tell you what to do…”
Chris Brasher was an athlete of the same era – a pacemaker for Roger Bannister’s sub-four-minute mile in 1954 who won Olympic gold in the 3,000-metre steeplechase in 1956. He knew all about training alone and competing in relatively small fields. Races such as the marathon were for dedicated runners only.
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