Ultra

About this book

A young ultra-marathon runner is pushed to the breaking point and beyond in this gripping tale of physical endurance and emotional healing.

Quinn has been called a superhero and a freak of nature. At age 13, he's an amazing distance runner. He takes on the second-hardest challenge of his life when he enters his first ultramarathon: a grueling 100-mile, 24-hour-long race that will push him to the very limit of his endurance.

While Quinn struggles to go on — up a mountain and through the night, as his muscles break down and he begins to hallucinate — we learn why the ultra-marathon is only the second hardest thing he has endured in his young life. And maybe this devastating event from his past is exactly what Quinn has been running from . . .

Framed as an interview with a media commentator after Quinn's newsmaking finish, this remarkable debut novel from ultra-marathon runner David Carroll reminds us that when we dare to challenge what is possible, the word impossible loses its meaning.

Reviews

Praise for Ultra:

"An inspiring read." —Canadian Running Magazine

"This is a story of determination and perseverence. It was impossible for me to stop turning the pages." —OWL Magazine (Forrester, age 11)

"Torn between savouring every word or rushing to the end, I stampeded my way through Ultra . . . Highly Recommended." —CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"A really dramatic story . . . much like running a long distance race — you just have to keep going until you reach the finish line where all the questions are answered!" —Trail Running Canada

Extras