"The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" is a short story by Alan Sillitoe, first published in 1959. It follows the life of a young man, Colin Smith, who is serving time in a borstal, a type of youth detention center in England. He discovers a talent for long-distance running, which becomes a means of escape from his bleak surroundings and a way to assert his individuality. As Colin trains for a race against a rival borstal, he grapples with themes of rebellion and social class. The story explores his internal conflict between conforming to authority and maintaining his sense of freedom, ultimately highlighting the emotional and psychological aspects of isolation.