Ron Clarke is best remembered for setting 19 world records on the track in the 1960s, but this autobiography reflects upon a whole lifetime of achievement. Since retiring from athletics he has prospered in business and worked tirelessly in philanthropy and as an environmental campaigner. We are presented with a portrait of a high-principled, modest and compassionate individual who has excelled in life by trying that little bit harder or, as he puts it, by focussing on ‘"the one percenters" that make the difference’. The section on his running career is well-structured and quotes from contemporary newspapers to good effect. Running enthusiasts may have appreciated a bit more detail here, though its absence could well ensure the book has a more universal appeal. Once he moves onto the rest of his life, he frequently stops to question how society deals with issues such as education, the environment, and the way sport is run. His hobby-horse is the lack of responsibility and accountability of many in our institutions. Clarke’s unique experiences also enable him to punctuate his tale with first-hand insights. For instance, the chapter on Horst Dassler, ‘Marketeer’, is a measured exposé of how Dassler’s sportswear company Adidas manipulated the administration of global sport for their own ends during the 1970s and 1980s.

Robert Jones is a contributor to Runners’ World magazine

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