Dirtbag Dreams A history of mountain, ultra and trail running

The first book to share the untold story of this unique sport, from its origins in the Victorian era to the present day. Over the past two decades, mountain, ultra and trail running has experienced a massive boom in participation, media attention and corporate consumerism. Once little more than an oddball recreation for mountain athletics romantics, the sport has become a mass activity in ways that were previously unimaginable. In Dirtbag dreams, Carl Morris offers the first complete account of mountain, ultra and trail running in North America and Britain. Revealing the sport's eccentric Victorian origins, he traces its development through 200 years of history, travelling from the Sierra Nevada and the English Lake District to the streets of London and New York. Packed with gripping races and colourful characters, Dirtbag dreams is the essential companion for anyone who wants to understand this unique endurance sport. -- .

About the author

Carl Morris has spent much of his life climbing and moving through the mountains. Over the last decade he has become a committed fell and ultra runner, with a particular interest in 100-mile and multiday mountain racing. He is a sociologist, historian and social psychologist at the University of Lancashire.

Product details

• Authors: Morris Carl, Carl Morris
• Publisher: Manchester University Press
• Content: Book
• Product form: Hardback
• Publication date: 11.11.2025
• Subject: Guides > Sport; Humanities, art, music > History > Contemporary history (1945 to 1989)
• EAN: 9781526190185
• ISBN: 978-1-5261-9018-5
• Pages: 328
• Subjects: Wellness, Sierra Nevada, Lake District, Pacific Crest Trail, SPORTS & RECREATION / Running & Jogging, HISTORY / Modern / 21st Century, Mountaineering, Olympic Games, Social & cultural history, 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000, SPORTS & RECREATION / History, ultra running, 21st century history: from c 2000 -, London Marathon, Boston Marathon, Ben Nevis, David Goggins, Appalachian Trail, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, 21st century, c 2000 to c 2100, history of sport, Trail Running, New York Marathon, Social and cultural history, Marathon & cross-country running, Marathon and cross-country running, Runner's World, Athletics, Western States Endurance Run, HISTORY / Modern / 20th Century / General, UTMB, amateur sports, Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, the wellness industry, Dipsea, running shoes, fell running, Courtney Dauwalter, Jasmin Paris, Grandma Gatewood, ultra-marathons, TGR, marathons, Distance running, usatf, Krissy Moehl, Inov8, Karl Meltzer, Bob Graham Round, Tim Tollefson, Edward Rayner, Foster Powell, grass-root sports, trail chic, jim walmsley, Zach Miller, Centurion Track 100, Montrail, Brandon Sybrowsky, Anton Krupicka, Niki Kimball, mountain running, Earl Shaffer, Long Distance Walkers Association, transcontinental races, katie schide, hill running, iRunFar, Astley Belt, Freetrail, pedestrianism, Hardrock 100, MUT running, Ultimate Direction, François D'Haene, The Green Runners, Rory Bosio, American Trail Running Association, Aleksandr Sorokin, USA Track and Field conference, London to Brighton race, Trail Running Magazine, Speedgoat, Mount Marathon, Topher Gaylord, IAU 24-Hour World Championships, Road Runners Club, Lakeland 24-hour challenge