Overview

The mystery man threw off his disguise and started to run. Furious stewards gave chase. The crowd roared. A legend was born. Soon the world would know him as the ghost runner, John Tarrant, the extraordinary man whom nobody could stop. As a hapless teenage boxer in the 1950s, he'd been paid 17 expenses. When he wanted to run, he was banned for life. His amateur status had been compromised ... forever. Now he was fighting back, gate-crashing races all over Britain. No number on his shirt. No friends in high places. Soon he would be a record-breaker, one of the greatest long-distance runners the world had ever seen. This cross between Once a Runner and Chariots of Fire tells the heartbreaking story of this remarkable individual.

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9781624600234

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A fascinating study of one man's obsession and the heartless, hypocritical bureaucracy that stubbornly aligned itself against him. Unforgettable reading. -- Booklist, starred review John Tarrant fought against a sporting establishment that held him hostage in what could have been one of the great international ultra-distance-running careers. Jones restores his legend while revealing his very human frailties. -- Kirkus Reviews Jones has written a vibrant account of endurance and rebellion. -- Publishers Weekly A terrific story-a comic-strip hero made flesh. -- Daily Mail Jones has unearthed and told quite brilliantly the tragic story of a man condemned not only by authority but also by his own stubbornness. -- Sunday Times (London) An astonishing story of staggering grit and determination. -- Independent (London)

John Tarrant fought against a sporting establishment that held him hostage in what could have been one of the great international ultra-distance-running careers. Jones restores his legend while revealing his very human frailties. -- Kirkus Reviews Jones has written a vibrant account of endurance and rebellion. -- Publishers Weekly Jones has unearthed and told quite brilliantly the tragic story of a man condemned not only by authority but also by his own stubbornness. -- Sunday Times (London) An astonishing story of staggering grit and determination. -- Independent (London) A fascinating study of one man's obsession and the heartless, hypocritical bureaucracy that stubbornly aligned itself against him. Unforgettable reading. -- Booklist, starred review A terrific story-a comic-strip hero made flesh. -- Daily Mail

Author Information

Bill Jones worked for Granada Television for twenty-seven years where he was an award-winning documentary maker. He was researching a documentary about the centenary of the Salford Harriers in 1985 when he first came across the story of John Tarrant (a former Harriers member) and it has haunted him ever since. Clive R. Anderson is the narrator of several audiobooks, including The Ghost Runner by Bill Jones, The Tooth Tattoo by Peter Lovesey, and The Skeleton in the Closet by M. C. Beaton.

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