It is captivating to read about what makes people run those 42.195 km, and what kind of thoughts keep their legs moving on these endless journeys. A book about running may sound presumptuous, but Murakami puts it this way in the preface: “the book is not about running or healthy living. It’s about what difference running makes for me, as I ponder over one thing after another.”

It requires deep motivation, a lot of self-discipline, concentration, and stamina to write novels, and these qualities are strengthened by running.

Murakami provides an insight into his literature, his life experiences, and his runs, good advice, and little anecdotes from places around the world where he has been.

There is humour and self-irony, and countless people all over the globe have, from the comfort of their sofa, enjoyed the ride along with Murakami on his many runs in the various corners of the world, as well as in the writer’s workshop, where there are insights to be gained regarding his mysterious process of writing.