When Xi, a shepherd from one of the most remote parts of Tibet, flees across the Himalayas to India, he doesn't know what awaits. But his very act of fleeing-alone and on foot-demonstrates a unique skill. In Tibet, Xi had barely heard of the marathon, never raced against anyone other than himself. Now, with the help of the mysterious Mr. Singh, he sets out to do what nobody has ever done before: break 2 hours for the marathon-all while remaining true to who he is and where he came from. "A rare book that combines intimate knowledge of the sport of running and compelling fiction writing. Readers, especially those who run, will enjoy this imaginative but fully plausible tale of Xi, the Tibetan runner, and the quest for the sub two-hour marathon." - Jonathan Beverly, former editor of Running Times "Sport is about passion, dedication, and competition but it can also be a political statement. From the first page you will be rooting for Xi to find a place to run in peace." - Amy Begley, 2008 Olympian, 10,000 meters. "Million Dollar Marathon is a delightful read for runners and romantics. The background story of the humble Tibetan shepherd who makes his mark on the running world is skillfully woven with a forbidden romance. I read it in an afternoon and was left wanting more." - Pete Pfitzinger, US Olympic Marathoner "A joy to read for any runner, not just marathoners. I found my heart racing at the end. I couldn't put it down." - Lt. Amanda Rice, U.S. Navy; 2:38 marathoner, 2014 military division cross-country champion.
Author Biography:
Philip Maffetone is an internationally recognized expert on health, nutrition, and human performance. With certifications in physiotherapy, Chinese medicine, and kinesiology, he is a much-in-demand speaker who for thirty-five years has worked with world-class athletes, celebrities, and people from all walks of life. He has helped establish fitness programs for major companies and worked one-on-one with professional football and baseball players, Olympic medalists, and six-time Hawaii Ironman champion Mark Allen. He was one of the first authors to write about the benefits of barefoot running, and has written more than twenty books on health, fitness, and coaching, including 1:59: The Sub-Two-Hour Marathon Is Within Reach. Since 2002 he has also been a songwriter, working with some of the field's greats, including Rick Rubin, Johnny Cash, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It's a combination of interests that made him determined to bring Xi to life from the moment he first envisioned the enigmatic Tibetan runner. Million Dollar Marathon is his first work of fiction. More information about his sports, fitness and health writing can be found online at http: //philmaffetone.com. His musical work can be found at http: //maffetonemusic.com. Richard A. Lovett, J.D., Ph.D., is an award-winning short-fiction writer, coach, and sports writer. He has been a senior writer for Running Times magazine and a frequent contributor to Marathon & Beyond magazine. He has also written for Runner's World, written about exercise physiology and sports science for National Geographic News, New Scientist, and Cosmos magazine, and coauthored two books with marathon legend Alberto Salazar. He lives in Portland, Oregon, where he coaches the 250-member club Team Red Lizard. He has also coached three women in the U.S. Olympic Team Marathon Trials. He can be found online at www.richardalovett.com.
