In 2018, at age 55, Dean Karnazes went back to the Western States Endurance Run (WSER) in California, USA.
Dean had completed this ultramarathon, infamous for its rugged terrain and extreme temperatures, 11 times in less than 24hrs between 1994 and 2006.

Dean is more open and vulnerable in A Runner’s High than ever before, when he describes the most demanding competition of his life, a physical and emotional battle, confronting his age, his career path, and his life choices.

For Dean, the running experience is about the runner and the trail. It is not the sum of achievements but a story that continues to be told each day, with each step. A Runner’s High is at once an endorphin-fueled adventure and a love letter to the sport from one of its most celebrated ambassadors that will leave both casual and serious runners cheering.

“Dean Karnazes’ writing wakes up the appetite to run long distances. In this book, Dean takes us on a lifelong journey of ultramarathons, through the ups and downs, the friendships and lonely moments, and the struggles and rewards of each race. Dean writes in a direct and intimate way that keeps us reading like he runs — without stopping.” – Kilian Jornet, World Champion Ultra-Marathoner