Successful ultra runner Sabrina Verjee has penned a book about her journey from school days to Wainwrights record breaker, via modern pentathlon and adventure racing. Where There’s a Hill is subtitled: One Woman, 214 Lake District Hills; Four Attempts One Record-Breaking Wainwrights Run.
Most recently the runner from Cumbria set a new female record for the notoriously tough Tor des Géants mountain race.
Overview: Where There’s a Hill
Sabrina Verjee is an ultra-running success story. In June 2021, on her fourth attempt, she became the first person to climb the Lake District’s 214 Wainwright hills in less than six days. This run extended to 325 miles with 36,000m of ascent.
Where There’s a Hill tells of an outsider who was never picked for a school sports team yet went on to become an accomplished modern pentathlete and adventure racer.
After switching her focus to ultra-running in her thirties, Sabrina moved to the Lake District, where she could hone her mountain-running skills on the local fells.
Success in endurance events followed. She has completed the Dragon’s Back Race three times and was the outright winner of the 2019 Summer Spine Race, beating her nearest competitor by more than eight hours.
However, it was the Wainwrights Round that became Sabrina’s obsession. Having learned about the challenge from fell-running legend Steve Birkinshaw, Sabrina began to plan an attempt of her own.
Despite multiple obstacles – including lockdown regulations, bad weather, injury and controversy – Sabrina’s grit and determination finally saw her set a new all-time record.
Where There’s a Hill is a frank and inspirational account of how one woman ran her way into the record books..
You can buy the book from VP: Inspiring Adventure for £12.99. (Note: I receive a small commission for sales of the book through this website.)
Review: Where There’s a Hill book
I asked a couple of friends to add their comments about this book to give a more rounded review. I have interviewed Sabrina many times and I got to know her while reporting on long-distance races, including the Dragon’s Back and Cape Wrath Ultra.
I should disclose that I like Sabrina and so I was very happy to be sent the book to review. She does not give many interviews but I have been fortunate to gain the trust and friendship of Sabrina. I have been delighted to be able to report on many of her amazing achievements both on this website and in the wider ultra running community.
The biggest insight for me in the book was the background given in the early stages of the book. Sabrina reveals some of her life at school and how she didn’t feel she was a natural athlete. A bright and academic student, she went from school to Oxford University and then trained as an equine vet.
The next sections of the book focuses on how Sabrina started to find her place as an athlete, in both modern pentathlon and adventure racing, although she still felt there was another sporting discipline that would suit her better.
Endurance running is where Sabrina has had the most success with the extraordinary Wainwrights record at the top of the list. In the book, she describes in detail the four attempts at the Wainwrights record.
This is an inspiring book that reveals the real determination of an ultra runner. It’s easy to read and I found myself quickly turning the pages. In my opinion, it will give many people, especially women, the inspiration to challenge themselves to do something out of their comfort zone.
However, I would have liked more detail and depth about Sabrina’s journey to endurance running. Perhaps because I have interviewed and written about Sabrina’s running achievements many times, I found myself craving a bit more depth and detail on the other aspects of Sabrina’s life. I had questions I wanted to ask that weren’t answered as part of the book.
In addition, I would have also liked more photos. I know this is a book of words but it’s always good to have more photos to off-set all the pages of words. There must be tons of photos that could have been included to add insight into what Sabrina goes through in one of her epic challenges.
I do like the map in the centre that shows the huge under-taking of a Wainwrights round.
A few friends who read the book said:
- “It’s a good overview of Sabrina’s running and Wainwrights attempts.”
- “I most like the sections about running and racing. The tips and information inspire me and give me confidence to take part in this sort of sport.”
- “The books empowers me to have the confidence to go out on my own.”
- “I like that Sabrina points out that sometimes you need to find the sport that works for you rather than trying to fit into a team that isn’t working.”
- “Sabrina is honest about her mistakes and she gives an explanation of the lessons she learned, as well as the lessons she learned from others.”
- “I’d like more detail in the earlier chapters.”
Conclusion: Where There’s a Hill is an easy read, perhaps a bit light in personal details and feelings at the start, but very insightful on how to become a good ultra runner. I recommend this for people who are keen to take on a longer distance running events or challenges, or who simply to find out more about how Sabrina has been so successful at endurance challenges.