The 25,000 Mile Love Story is the true story of what LA Times sports writer Chris Erskine calls “the toughest man I ever met” and “quite probably the greatest endurance athlete of all time.” This new “youth edition” will challenge our kids to make their lives into a great adventure, while always looking out for the poor and downtrodden. Its message: Possessing more or less doesn’t ensure happiness or even victory. You cannot win the race overnight; you win it by persistence and by daily devotion. And you win it by doing the little things well.

The 25,000 Mile Love Story is a love story-but not a love story in the traditional sense. It is not just about a man and woman; nor is it just about a husband and wife. There are many people who can write that story. Instead, this is a love story that has lasted a lifetime-a love for the world's roads and all the people who inhabit them. You will follow Serge Roetheli through his childhood as an adventurer, through his teen years as a boxer, and through his adult life as a runner and mountain guide. As he writes in this intriguing memoir, You will sit by my side as I fell in love-not once, not twice, but three times. And you will run the road with me on The American Challenge and The World Tour. Then, you will return with me to where I belong, and I pray that you will take away some life lessons and the truth I have come to know so well. His life lessons are simple: It doesn't matter where you come from or what you start with. Possessing more or less doesn't ensure happiness or even victory. You cannot win the race overnight; you win it by persistence-by daily devotion. And you win it by doing the little things well.