Running Man cover art

Running Man

A Memoir

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Running Man

By: Charlie Engle
Narrated by: Charlie Engle
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About this listen

A compulsively listenable, remarkably candid memoir from world-class ultramarathon runner Charlie Engle chronicling his globe-spanning races, his record-breaking run across the Sahara Desert, and how running helped him overcome drug addiction and an unjust stint in federal prison.

After a decade-long addiction to crack cocaine and alcohol, Charlie Engle hit bottom with a near-fatal six-day binge that ended in a hail of bullets. As Engle got sober, he turned to running, which became his lifeline, his pastime, and his salvation. He began with marathons, and when marathons weren't far enough he began to take on ultramarathons, races that went for 35, 50, and sometimes hundreds of miles, traveling to some of the most unforgiving places on earth to race. The Matt Damon-produced documentary Running the Sahara followed Engle as he led a team on a harrowing, record-breaking 4,500 mile run across the Sahara Desert, which helped raise millions of dollars for charity.

Charlie's growing notoriety led to an investigation and a subsequent unjust conviction for mortgage fraud. Engle would spend 16 months in federal prison in Beckley, West Virginia. While in jail he pounded the small prison track, running endlessly in circles. Soon his fellow inmates were joining him, struggling to keep their spirits up in dehumanizing circumstances.

In Running Man, Charlie Engle tells the gripping, surprising, funny, emotional, and inspiring story of his life, detailing his setbacks and struggles - from coping with addiction to serving time in prison - and how he blazed a path to freedom by putting one foot in front of the other. This is a propulsive, raw, and triumphant story about finding the threshold of human endurance - and transcending it.

©2016 Charlie Engle (P)2016 Simon & Schuster
Running & Jogging Sports Memoir Inspiring Funny Heartfelt
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I loved this book from start to finish. it was so raw and moving, it features some of the most amazing triumphs I've ever read. I recommend this to anyone that's struggling through tough times. Amazing.

Proof You can overcome any obstacle.

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This is the best book I have listened to on audible by far.
Charlie's story is quite relatable to me and told with great lessons in mind. Absolutely captivating narration the whole way through. I was sad to finish it as I just wanted to keep listening!

Amazing story and really well told

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Amazing story of incredible life accomplishments. Highly recommended. Hey Charlie come back to New Zealand and break the record for running its length!

Inspiring

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A truly entertaining life story. He found a way through battles to become someone special.

Great listen

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Thoroughly enjoyable memoir. Inspiration and despair but overall compelling. Charlie's narration made it even better.

Compelling Story

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A compelling story about addition, running and doing things against the odds. I loved listening to this book

Definitely recommend

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I listened to this whilst trying to put some length to my runs. Definitely succeeded, after hearing what’s capable.

Confronting and motivating

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I listened to the book while commuting, what normally takes 4 hours barely seemed like 1. The book transported me to the scenes, inspired me to act, inspired me to look beyond. Inspired me to cultivate a relationship with me while finding connections with like minded individuals around the world! I loved every word, they were filled with emotion!

Brilliant

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Loved this. Absolutely fantastic. Really inspirational.
I got a lot of enjoyment out of listening while going for a jog.

Inspirational

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I laughed and teared up, I was completely hooked on this book and didn't want it to end. Thank you for sharing your story.

Absolutely loved listening to Charlie's story

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