Running Africa Reviews 16

Unputdownable. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to run the entire length of Africa when the odds are against you – age, a genetic heart condition, a dangerous journey on foot through war-torn countries – do yourself a favour and read Keith Boyd’s Running Africa.

Achieving a Guinness World Record, in Keith’s case, is far from glamorous. With a self-assuredness 57 years strong, he approaches everyone he meets on his journey with empathy and understanding and describes the scenes that unfold before him with honesty and care. He has the wisdom to remain calm and analytical in traumatic situations. He has a deep understanding of his values and the importance of surrounding himself with a team of like-minded individuals.

Keith’s journey is inward, too, as he discovers his strengths, but also his limitations, and admits that he’s human, not flawless, and owns his mistakes and struggles. It isn’t something he could do alone, and he learns the value of teamwork. Through his mental and physical highs and lows, you feel every emotion with Keith. Throughout this book, he weaves his unwavering commitment to a higher purpose, a simple solution to end Africa’s monumental poverty problem. If an ordinary bloke can run 11 000 km in 301 days, imagine what a young person’s vote could do to change our prospects.

Keith came and did a book launch at our running club and I had no idea what to expect. It soon became apparent that this was an incredible story of an inspirational human being and his team, with the aim not just to run Africa but to spread awareness of his cause. I had to buy the book to read more about his adventures, which didn't disappoint! What's also great is the QR codes linking you to YouTube clips at various points along the way. Highly recommended for anyone, not just runners!

I followed Keith’s journey across Africa on Instagram and had been looking forward to reading his book to understand more of what he had really been through. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book. It is completely engrossing and deeply engaging, and it feels as though Keith is talking directly to you. His passion, courage and sheer determination to run the length of Africa from Cape Town to Cairo at the age of 57, with so many obstacles in his way, is both humbling and inspiring.

What makes his achievement even more extraordinary is that he didn’t just complete the run – he broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest time from Cape Town to Cairo, smashing a 25-year-old record. That alone is an unbelievable accomplishment.

One of the things I enjoyed most about the book is how clearly Keith shows that this was never a solo effort. He is very open about the importance of the team around him - the highs and the lows - and particularly the role of his family and Shadley, whose support, resilience and commitment were absolutely vital to the success of the journey.

I loved travelling with him from country to country through the pages of the book. The statistics he shares and the insights into the people he met and the places he saw are fascinating, but what really stayed with me was the honesty about the challenges. I thought I understood his journey from following him online and from speaking to him afterwards, but the book brings home the reality in a way nothing else could. Until you read the detail, you simply can’t grasp the physical and emotional toll of what he took on.

His commitment is astonishing, and the cause he was running for through Rainbow Leaders is powerful and deeply admirable. I would recommend this book to anyone, runner or not. Even imagining getting out of bed every day knowing you are about to run more than two marathons feels impossible — and yet he did it, day after day. At its heart, this is a human story about resilience, belief and purpose, and it stayed with me long after I finished reading. Highly recommended.

What a lekker read. I loved the insight about the man before the run, then explaining the dynamics of the team. Although you did the running Keith, my heart goes out to Shadley, what strong man. Amazing all round!

This book was a powerful reminder that you should never give up, even when everything around you feels difficult. It shows that if you keep pushing, you really can make a difference.

What stayed with me most was not only Keith’s incredible journey of running through countless obstacles, from visa issues to border challenges, but especially the human stories along the way. One particular story deeply moved me and stayed with me long after I closed the book. It highlights how, even in moments of profound personal hardship, the power of support, connection, and perseverance can carry people forward. The message of standing together and supporting one another is incredibly powerful.

As a primary school teacher, this book had a deep impact on me. While the issues of poverty, inequality, and lack of access to education may not directly affect my Grade 4–6 learners yet, they form part of their future. The book reminded me how important it is to shape the way young people think, to help them see purpose, responsibility, and leadership from an early age.

Reading about running over 11 000 km in 301 days, through pain, uncertainty, and constant challenge, left me with no excuses. It made me reflect on perseverance in my own life and the importance of having a clear purpose. If you have a purpose, you can work towards it, no matter how difficult the journey is.

I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to anyone. You do not need to be interested in fitness or running to enjoy it. It is a story about humanity, resilience, and making a difference.

A riveting read, making me feel like I'm having a one on one conversation with the author! Brilliantly written and what an experience for Keith and his team!

Despite following Keith’s journey closely this book still had me hooked with all the emotions! It brings to life the realities not just that Keith faced to complete the journey but also those experienced by the people of Africa and just how important the Rainbow Leaders mission is!

Having grown up with Keith’s son Callum I knew how stead fast and resilient Keith could be. When I heard about his ambition to run the length of Africa I thought he was crazy but I knew if there was a person who could do it, it would be Keith.

It was an incredibly raw and exhilarating account of his journey on foot through Africa.

A true inspiration and leader! Looking forward to the next book!

What an inspiration you are Keith, raising awareness and motivating the youth of Africa to have a say in their own future. Reading the challenges of the run was captivating making for an easy and interesting read.

I want to give more than 5 stars for this book. This book is very powerful and beautiful story of Keith running Africa, which seems to me, impossible to do such thing but his determination and belief for this made it possible. There are so much emotions in this book that made me cried a few times. I’m not from Africa and I haven’t known much of Africa before this book but it has inspired me a lot in so many ways.

Incredible book! Congrats on your epic journey Keith and all the best for the future!

Congratulations Keith. What a wonderful achievement to have run from Cape Town to Cairo. All the many challenges that you and your.team had to deal with. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. Written from the heart. Learnt lots about Africa. The history, population and the cultures of all the different countries. One has no idea what is happening in our own continent. Best wishes to you and your family.

Reading 'Running Africa', one quickly realises that the physical requirement (especially for a 57 year old with a heart condition) and mental tenacity required for such an undertaking are only half the battle. The other half is a blend of acute logistics and a huge dose of savvy, daring and interpersonal faith.

This book is an easy and interesting read, shedding insights about aspects of the various African countries Keith ran though. The book's journal-like quality gave me the feeling of being there, along for the proverbial ride.

Why on earth would anyone want to do such a thing? One has to wonder. It seems the answer is that Keith wanted to prove a point about mind over matter and the feasibility of things we may deem unfeasible: A point that might also be at the heart of his NGO, Rainbow Leaders, to which any of the books profits go.

What a read.

Running Africa is an amazing story of how a 57 year old entrepreneur, Keith Boyd, broke the world record for running from Cape Town to Cairo.

This is not a book about running but rather a truly inspirational story of what it’s possible to achieve with the right attitude and a positive mindset.

When you wake up some mornings without motivation just remember that someone got up every day for approximately 9 months and ran more than a full marathon in some of the harshest conditions imaginable. It puts your challenges into perspective.

Running Africa is an easy and enjoyable read. I enjoyed learning about the countries Keith ran through on his journey. The stories are interesting, and I enjoyed reading about the challenges of the journey and how the team worked together to overcome them. The QR codes in the book are great as they make you feel you are right there, experiencing the moments as they happened. What is even better, all proceeds go to Rainbow Leaders to educate youth about voting, which makes the book meaningful. Highly recommend for anyone who likes adventure, travel, and inspiring stories.