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The Race

The Inside Track on the Ruthless World of Elite Athletics

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The Race

By: David Gillick
Narrated by: Ciaran O'Brien, David Gillick
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With vivid recall, David Gillick, one of Ireland's most celebrated 400m sprinters, describes the sacrifices, triumphs and devastating setbacks that define a life spent chasing greatness. From the punishing grind of training camps to the mental anguish of injuries and the darker side of athletics, this memoir captures the intensity of a career defined by fractions of a second.

As an Irish athlete competing against the odds, Gillick recalls the unique challenges of representing a small nation: limited resources, enormous expectations and the constant push to prove you belong among the world's best. But The Race is more than a story of sport. It's an exploration of human resilience and the fight to find balance in a life consumed by the pursuit of perfection. It's about enduring heartbreak, overcoming burnout and discovering who you are when the race is over.

©2025 David Gillick (P)2026 Bolinda Publishing Coaching Olympics & Paralympics Sports Track & Field Resilience
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Critic Reviews

'A story of triumph, record breaking and joy erased by injury, doubt, despair and darkness. A fascinating insight into the life of a world-class athlete.' (John Treacy, Irish Olympian and former athlete)
'David Gillick is searingly honest about his talent and vulnerabilities. He brings you into the brutally competitive world of track and field, and through the realities of making it and failing in front of the eyes of the world.' (Derval O'Rourke, former World Champion hurdler, European medallist and three-time Olympian)
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