Ed Caesar

Ed Caesar is a British non-fiction writer. His stories have been published by The New Yorker, GQ and the Sunday Times. The winner of six major journalism awards his subjects have included conflict in central Africa, the world's longest tennis match, and tracking down stolen art.

He will be talking about his newly published book Two Hours.

One hundred years ago the world record for the marathon was 2 hours 38 minutes. Today the record is 2 hours, 2 minutes and 57 seconds - just a few minutes off a time that was once thought impossible. The sub-two hour marathon will require an exceptional feat of speed, mental strength and endurance. The pioneer will have to endure more, live braver, plan better, and be luckier than his forbearers. So who is he? In this account, Ed Caesar takes us into the world of the greatest marathoners on earth. Through the stories of these rich characters (including Sammy Wanjiru and Geoffrey Mutai) and their troubled lives, he traces the history of the marathon as well as the science, physiology and psychology involved in running so fast, for so long. And he shows us why this most democratic of races retains its savage, enthralling appeal and why we are drawn to test ourselves to the limit.