Local writer launches book on the joy of tech-free running 

A Rochdale-born writer and filmmaker is encouraging runners to ditch their devices in a bid to rediscover the joy of running.

John L. Matthews has released his fifth book, Unplugged Runner: What Happens When You Run Free, which explores the benefits of running without gadgets, promoting a closer connection to nature and a deeper appreciation of the act itself.

Matthews, a lifelong runner, says his work aims to address the way technology has intruded into even our leisure activities.

“We’ve been working flat out to get this ready in time for Christmas,” he said. “If you don’t know what to get the runner in your life, here you are. It’s not just about running; it’s about connecting with the landscape and getting outside.”

Matthews’s latest venture is rooted in the local running culture, with a specific call to action for those who have lost their “runner’s high.”

The author describes the book as a reflection on his own experiences, detailing how he found joy again by running free of apps, trackers, and gadgets.

He said: “I get a runner’s high every time I go out. But when I realised others don’t, it got me thinking. Gadgets create a barrier between what’s actually happening and how we experience it. Heart rate monitors, step counters, and GPS trackers take us away from the simple pleasure of running.”
 

Read more: New book by local author reminisces about Rochdale high streets in the 80s and 90sPublished: 14 November 2020

Broadcaster Jim White, who wrote the book’s foreword, expressed his own concerns about technology's grip on the sport.

He said: “When I do my local Saturday morning Park Run, I’m struck by how obsessed everyone is with tech.

“On the start line, everyone is fiddling with their watches, firing up measuring devices, and accessing apps. When I finish, my immediate priority isn’t to savour the run but to check my stats. John’s book tells us to ditch all that, free ourselves, and see what happens.”

The book is supported by a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. Matthews also plans to publish a hardcover edition and invite running clubs to join the initiative.

Unplugged Runner may be the beginning of a movement. Whether it grows into a global phenomenon or remains a local passion project, Matthews’s call to “run free” could inspire people to reconsider their approach to running.

For more information, visit the campaign site here.