Scott Jurek

I'm never going to run a marathon in this lifetime, never mind an ultramarathon, but I love reading about the crazy people who devote themselves to running these punishing races of 50, 100, 150 miles.

I first came across Scott Jurek's name when I read Christopher McDougall's Born to Run (which is an excellent read). For a long time Jurek was lauded as king of the ultramarathons, repeat winner of numerous infamous ultra races, and I was interested in his back story. How does someone get into show more this sport - are they top athletes at school, or does something else propel them along the way? What keeps them going in the most gruelling of competitions?

Jurek focuses on being bullied at school and how he was the most unlikely of ultramarathon champions. That may be true of his younger school years, but as a teenager he started competing at national level in cross-country skiing, a sport that requires huge amounts of endurance. His home life was difficult - he was a carer to a mother disabled by MS and had a fractious relationship with his father - and he believes he built up a level of resilience and self-sufficiency most of his peers didn't have at that young age. Running came as a way of building up stamina for skiing, and he was also positively influenced in keeping going by his friend Dusty, a troubled teen who excelled at sport and long distance running in particular whilst creating chaos wherever he went.

This memoir is an interesting account of Jurek's running career, and how a casual running hobby quickly morphed into him becoming one of the greatest ultramarathon runners of his era (if not the greatest). Jurek uses the long distances, great outdoors and mind control over pain and exhaustion to transport himself somewhere where everyday life can't reach him. It's incredible his dedication to his art, particularly as back in this era of the 90s / early Noughties there was little money to be made from ultramarathon victories. There's something incredibly admirable about how pure his drive is, this need to reach a spiritual nirvana and simply live a life that's very in touch with food and nature.

Each chapter ends with some tips on running and a vegan recipe. Early on in his running career Jurek transitioned to veganism, driven by how much better his body performed and recovered when he moved away from processed food and meat to whole foods. Although I doubt I'll ever commit to that eating path, I'm interested in how plant based eating has really taken hold at elite athlete level.

4 stars - recommended for anyone who enjoys the psychology behind what makes a great sporting hero. show less

Eat and Run by Scott Jurek is nothing short of a masterpiece that offers a deep, raw look into the grit and determination required to achieve greatness in ultra-running. Jurek’s journey is not just about the physical feat of running some of the most grueling races on the planet—it’s about mind over matter, the power of will, and the depths of human resilience. The book is an inspiring testament to what the human body and spirit can endure when pushed to their absolute limits.

I show more absolutely loved every page of this book. Jurek’s story is a celebration of pure willpower. His ability to push through the physical pain, the mental fatigue, and the seemingly impossible obstacles that arise during his races shows the depth of character and unwavering determination it takes to succeed in the ultra-running world. His experiences are so much more than just about running; they are about conquering the mind and breaking through the barriers that life throws at you—whether that’s in the form of a grueling race or in the face of life’s everyday challenges.

I know a surprising number of people involved in the ultra-running community, and while I’m not sure if it’s simply a coincidence or linked to my involvement in the vegan community, I can certainly appreciate the mental and physical tenacity that draws people to this sport. Although I can’t imagine completing an ultra-marathon, let alone winning one, I’ve taken part in a marathon before, and crossing that finish line was one of the most emotional experiences of my life. It was the culmination of pushing myself past what I thought I was capable of, and Eat and Run captured that feeling beautifully. Challenging yourself to exceed your expectations can be one of the most rewarding experiences of all.

Scott Jurek’s journey is a profound reminder that in running, and in life, it's not just about the finish line. It’s about the mental strength, the willpower, and the determination to keep going, even when everything within you wants to quit. If you’re looking for inspiration, motivation, or simply a beautifully written story of a man who’s pushed the limits of human endurance, Eat and Run is a must-read. show less

If my friend hadn't lent me his copy, it would have taken me significantly longer to ever pick this up--I have a thing against books about thru-hikes. I adore thru-hikers, I think they're great, I want to do one myself one day, and I think everyone's story is important. In saying that, I do not think every thru-hiker (or thru-ultra-runner, whatever) has a book in them, and I do not think this should be encouraged.

However! This is a good one! I was super impressed by how much dramatic tension show more the Jureks created, how they managed to have underlying emotions and motivations, how they looked at the challenges and how their relationships evolved, and how they somehow managed to create a really cohesive and quite pacy narrative. Obviously Jurker succeeded and set the FKT (which has since been bested) but just like in a romance novel when you know the two characters will end up together, my heart was in my mouth.

I did actually want more talk of the trail itself, but that's me since I like to hike and I've done a mile or two on the AT myself (read: I hiked all weekend last weekend to do only a tad more than Jurker knocked off in one day) and without these details, I think this is quite an approachable book for even people who aren't runners/hikers. show less

Scott Jurek tells about his personal life, running career, and adventures in food, with lots of small tales about friendship, hardship and perseverance. He gives tips on life, cooking and running. A blend of three different things, this book feels more balanced and REAL than all other books on running I've read.