Books & Writing
AWARD-WINNING MEMOIR BY STEPHANIE WALTERS
It’s Not a Sprint
Lessons of Faith and Endurance on the Marathon of Life
When life feels like a marathon, how do you find the strength to keep running the race?
It’s Not a Sprint is the story of couch-potato-turned-ultrarunner, Stephanie Walters.
From the highs of crossing the finish line of a gruelling 150-kilometre race in the Simpson Desert to the valleys of life’s deepest struggles, Stephanie candidly shares the challenges that have tested her faith: managing type 1 diabetes, experiencing a painful divorce, suffering multiple miscarriages, recovering from injuries, and battling anxiety, depression, and alcohol addiction.
Weaving her passion for running into her journey of faith, Stephanie presents a powerful metaphor for the Christian life. Just as the marathon demands endurance, so too does the race that God has set before us. In the face of trials, Stephanie discovers that true victory is measured not by podium finishes, but by fixing our eyes on Jesus and trusting His perfect plan.
It’s Not a Sprint offers hope and encouragement to anyone feeling weary on the race of life. It will inspire you to run with perseverance, reminding you that no obstacle is insurmountable with God on your side.
Where to buy the book
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Praise for It’s Not a Sprint
‘It’s Not a Sprint is an engrossing, engaging story about a young woman’s battle with type 1 diabetes, self-confidence, and her role in the world since the age of five. It chronicles her journey of faith across literal and figurative deserts to overcome severe hypoglycaemia, recover from a crippling knee injury, survive a heart-wrenching divorce, and embrace the uncertainty of life, the beauty of simply being, and the joy of running from sunrise to sunset and again to sunrise.’
Don Muchow
Type 1 ultrarunner, and first person to run from Disneyland to Disney World
‘It’s Not a Sprint reflects on not only the challenges endured at the Big Red Run, and the satisfaction of achieving something that seems near impossible, but the many other challenges that Stephanie has taken on… It’s an incredible and adventurous story, and one that will provide hope and inspiration to the many others who live with type 1 diabetes.’
Greg Donovan
Founder of the Big Red Run and Big Red Bash
‘It’s Not a Sprint is more than a book! It is a beautiful invitation into life, finding and trusting God, and how to experience life despite the challenges it throws at us… This beautiful book, a real and raw share, will be a blessing to anyone who reads it. Let’s go live this one amazing God-given life, at our pace. Life is not a sprint! Thank you for writing this life inspiring, life changing book, Stephanie!’
Dr Monica Devanand
Business Growth and Transformation Coach, Author, and Speaker
‘Steph provides us with an entertaining, highly personal, and inspiring account of her life, set against a backdrop of running, type 1 diabetes, and her ever-present faith. A must-read for anyone seeking motivation to tackle large challenges against the odds.’
Tim Oberg
Founder of Parkrun Australia
