The Great Billy Butlin Race: The First and only Footrace from John O'Groats to Land's End

By Robin Richards

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1913432084
• ISBN13: 9781913432089
• Release Date: June 2021
• Publisher: Stairwell Books
• Length: 182 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"