Chris Brasher "The Man who Made The London Marathon" - a biography by John Bryant

One of the most remarkable - and controversial - sporting figures in British history, Chris Brasher piled unique achievement on unique achievement. 

This was a man who, quite simply, made history; beginning when a young man and continuing until the end of his life. Together with Chris Chataway he paced Roger Bannister to break the four-minute mile in 1954. He won an Olympic gold medal in Melbourne in 1956. As much as anyone he was responsible for establishing the sport of orienteering in Britain, and then helped do the same for fell-running. He invented the Brasher walking boot, which claimed to bring the comfort of the running shoe to long-distance hiking and made him a millionaire (for the second time). Along the way he was one of our top sports journalists, and in later years even a canny and successful racehorse owner.

But one further accomplishment trumps all of these. These days the London Marathon is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, with some 35,000 competitors thronging the capital’s streets. That the London Marathon exists at all is thanks to Chris Brasher. He founded it, inspired by the experience of competing in the New York Marathon, overcoming the huge scepticism of the authorities and the vast logistical problems. The London Marathon is his true legacy.

Now, John Bryant, who was one of Brasher’s closest friends, has written a full biography of this truly remarkable and singular man. It is a portrait of someone who could be as exasperating as he was indefatigable, a good friend but a bad enemy, and whose vast energy was matched by neither tact nor patience. Whether you’re a sports journalist, a Lakeland fell-runner, a weekend rambler or one of the 50,000 competitors in the London Marathon, Chris Brasher changed your life.

John Bryant has a wealth of experience as editor of Fleet Street newspapers and as an athlete, coach, writer and speaker.

He has worked in Fleet Street since 1971, was Editor in Chief of Telegraph newspapers, Deputy Editor of the Times, Executive Editor of the Daily Mail, Editor of the Sunday Correspondent and The European. He is currently Chairman of the Press Association Trust, Chairman of the Evening Standard Editorial Advisory Board, Chairman of the London Marathon Trustees and President of the Thames Hare and Hounds. He lives in London.

Chris Brasher - The Man who Made The London Marathon, by John Bryant is published by Aurum Press and available now at £20