I have known Don Ritchie for almost fifty years and used to run against him up to marathon distance. When he suddenly became an ultra-distance world record breaker, I was puzzled about how this had happened! Now that I have read his autobiography ‘The Stubborn Scotsman’, which is now on sale on amazon.co.uk, I understand completely!
During his fantastic racing career, Donald could be described as follows. Quiet, modest, calm, charitable, friendly but private. Self-motivated, determined, dedicated, ambitious. Stoical, masochistic, amazingly tolerant of pain, resilient. Obsessed, addicted to training and racing. Seldom allowing time for rest or recovery. Secretly passionate, foolishly optimistic, occasionally crazy.
To fight through extreme difficulties and win must be tremendously satisfying. Donald Ritchie M.B.E. broke world records for distances including: 50 km, 40 miles, 50 miles, 100 km, 150 km, 100 miles, 200 km and 24 Hours Indoor, and also set many new age-group standards. He won most of the classic ultra races in Britain and Europe, as well as events in the United States.
Donald’s autobiography covers, in considerable detail, his early life, running apprenticeship, training, peak performances and veteran highlights (he was still racing for Great Britain senior teams until over 50 years of age). Blood, sweat, pain and triumph, but no tears from this most uncomplaining of Scotsmen.
Buy a copy – and marvel!
Colin Youngson