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Running on Air
- Author
- Sophie Raworth
- Narrator
- Sophie Raworth
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Publish Date
- 23 April 2026
- Run Time
- 8 hours 8 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
- Genre
- Marathon and cross-country running, Autobiography: arts and entertainment, Autobiography: sport, Running and jogging
- Rating
- 5.0 (1 review)
What to expect
*This audiobook features an exclusive conversation between Sophie and fellow ultra-marathon runner, Susie Chan*
'A cracking read' – Jojo Moyes
From the BBC news to the Marathon des Sables, this is an inspiring journey into running from one of the UK’s best-known broadcasters.
The marathon bug had bitten. I discovered I loved the training, the discipline and the structure that it brought to my life as well as the realisation that despite being in my early 40s, I was getting faster. My confidence grew too. At a time when I felt unsure of my footing at work, running was starting to make me feel steadier on my feet and in my mind. Could I go faster?
At the age of 40, BBC broadcaster Sophie Raworth assumed she was too old to start running. She had done no exercise for decades. But after seeing a friend do the London Marathon, Sophie decided to give it a go. Collapsing two miles from the finish line, her first attempt was a disaster. But she picked herself up and kept going on a path that would take her to races all over the world, across the Alps and even to the Sahara Desert for the famous 150-mile Marathon des Sables.
Along the way Sophie discovered great friends, unexpected strength, new confidence, and deep resilience that has helped her deal with some of the toughest challenges, both at work and in life.
Running on Air will show you that you can do so much more than you ever believed, just by putting one foot in front of the other.
Critics Review
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To say this is a book about running does not do it justice; this is about life and all its challenges, and how lacing up a pair of trainers can take you to places you cannot imagine, while giving the strength to deal with challenges far from the marathon trail. A cracking read.
Jojo Moyes
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Don’t miss out on this fun and inspiring first hand account of how to discover the joy of running at any age. Sophie perfectly conveys all the ecstasy and agonies of her running journey with honesty and wit and shines a light on the wonderful running community and how it can change your life.
Paula Radcliffe
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Inspiring, sometimes painful, always joyous and where it matters very moving - Sophie’s life as a runner will make you want to get your own trainers on.
Jeremy Bowen
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A marvellous book that reveals not just why Sophie is so compelled to run, but makes sense of why I feel the same way too…
Ricky Wilson
See more reviews See fewer reviews
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Running on Air is Raworth’s love letter to the sport… a generous, joyful book, compelling regardless of whether you run (I don’t – haven’t got the knees for it – but loved it anyway), deeply moving at points, very funny at others. Generally – and genuinely – life-affirming.
The Times Magazine
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Uplifting and inspirational
What's On
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Listed as one of ‘10 great books to consider for your summer reading list’
The Herald (Scotland)
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Warm, human and honest.
ITWriting
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Inspiring
Lincolnshire Pride
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Engaging
Saga
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A love letter to the sport
The Guardian
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Inspiring
Yorkshire Times
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Uplifting and inspirational
The Daily Express
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What an inspiration
BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour
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I was crying within the first chapter… a real role model for midlife sport… I think it’s not just an inspiration for women of our age and men of our age, I think it’s an inspiration for anybody who wants to get moving and do something. But also I think for women of our age about longevity, keeping going, and pushing boundaries. It’s a real tome of inspiration.
The MidPoint
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The book is more than a record of races and medals. Running On Air is a personal reflection on resilience and the quiet transformation that comes from putting one foot in front of the other, on the road and in life.
Woman&Home
User Reviews
Book 5.0
Narration 5.0
-
5.0 5.0
Sophie tells her running story as it is. It's an honest compelling and enjoyable listen, made all the more enjoyable by her personal touches and experiences of her journey. Excellent and engaging
rikracoon 2026-09-23
Details
- Author
- Sophie Raworth
- Narrator
- Sophie Raworth
- Duration
- 8 hours 8 minutes
- Release Date
- 23 April 2026
- ISBN
- 9781399426343
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Genre
- Marathon and cross-country running, Autobiography: arts and entertainment, Autobiography: sport, Running and jogging
- Rating
- 5.0(1 review)
- Narration
- 5.0(1 review)
Synopsis
Bloomsbury presents Running on Air: From BBC Headlines to Life-Changing Finish Lines, written and read by Sophie Raworth*This audiobook features an exclusive conversation between Sophie and fellow ultra-marathon runner, Susie Chan* 'A cracking read' – Jojo MoyesFrom the BBC news to the Marathon des Sables, this is an inspiring journey into running from one of the UK’s best-known broadcasters.The marathon bug had bitten. I discovered I loved the training, the discipline and the structure that it brought to my life as well as the realisation that despite being in my early 40s, I was getting faster. My confidence grew too. At a time when I felt unsure of my footing at work, running was starting to make me feel steadier on my feet and in my mind. Could I go faster?At the age of 40, BBC broadcaster Sophie Raworth assumed she was too old to start running. She had done no exercise for decades. But after seeing a friend do the London Marathon, Sophie decided to give it a go. Collapsing two miles from the finish line, her first attempt was a disaster. But she picked herself up and kept going on a path that would take her to races all over the world, across the Alps and even to the Sahara Desert for the famous 150-mile Marathon des Sables.Along the way Sophie discovered great friends, unexpected strength, new confidence, and deep resilience that has helped her deal with some of the toughest challenges, both at work and in life.Running on Air will show you that you can do so much more than you ever believed, just by putting one foot in front of the other.
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