Beyond Fast

How a Renegade Coach and His Unlikely High School Team Revolutionized Distance Running

By: Sean Brosnan, Chris Lear, Andrew Greif

Narrated by: Sean Brosnan, Aden Hakimi

The true story of a high school cross country team that went from obscurity to becoming the fastest squad the country, and perhaps the world, has ever seen, called “inspiring and entertaining” (Jerry Schumacher) and “a deliciously rich tale” (Neal Bascomb).

When Sean Brosnan arrived at Newbury Park High School in 2016, their cross country team hadn’t so much as qualified for a California state championship in twenty-five years. Brosnan himself had never coached high schoolers, though he was no stranger to the sport. A collegiate All-American, he had spent years trying to chase his ambitions of becoming a professional runner, along the way learning from some of the most successful coaches in the country.

From day one at Newbury Park, Brosnan made a promise: Give me your total commitment and I’ll give you a state championship in four years. He did them one better: Brosnan’s runners would take an unprecedented three consecutive national championships, smashing records, winning Division I scholarships, and representing their country in the Olympics.

With expert insights and a deep love for the sport, Sean Brosnan’s Beyond Fast offers a riveting chronicle of that journey. Tracing Newbury Park’s early successes, their heartbreaking missteps, and the winding road that would lead them to running glory, he tells a story of guts, sacrifice, and determination. By turns heartbreaking and exhilarating, it reminds you that the only limits that matter are the ones you set for yourself.

Amazing Story

The favorite part of my day over the past few weeks was my commute to work because I got to listen to this inspiring story. As a former runner now in his mid 40’s it sparked so much renewed interest in the sport. I watched all the races I could find with Newbury Park on YouTube and loved seeing the visuals of what I had just listened to. It made me sad as well. Sad that I never had a coach as great as Sean, not just in the technical details but how much he went above and beyond for his runners. A few times I had to wipe a tear from eye. I already want to re-listen the entire story all over again and I’m so glad it was Sean who narrated his story on Audible, his passion was palpable.

Excellent book even if you’re not interested in long distance running

Shawn Brosnan is a true revolutionary. It’s amazing to learn about the total, all in, dedication of this coach and how he was able to achieve such stunning success. The greatest high school sports team of all time in any sport for sure.

The book has a lot of blow by below details of racing, but again, Bronson puts such interesting context to all the racing accounts that you will be captivated the entire time. A really great effort.

Absolutely Incredible

Beyond Fast is the best running book I’ve ever read and a must read for every middle, high school and college athlete. Sean’s story of the NBP journey is captivating and inspiring.

A low stick of running memoirs

Beyond Fast is a page-turner from start to finish. Brosnan has assembled an amazing cast of characters from his running and coaching journey. The Newbury Park runners are impossible not to root for—even when you already know the outcomes of their races. While Brosnan himself can come across as somewhat obnoxious, the results of his passion and doggedness are undeniable, even if he downplays the economic and genetic privilege he had to work with.

A relentless pursuit by coach / runners to push the limits of what was thought to be impossible in high school running.

One of the best running books I have read. I was captivated from the first page to the last. Beyond Fast inspired and motivated me to never limit myself in my own running journey to what is possible.