Running with the Kenyans

Passion, Adventure, and the Secrets of the Fastest People on Earth

By: Adharanand Finn

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

“A dusty road stretches into the distance like a pencil line across the arid landscape. Lions, rhino, and buffalo roam the plains on either side. But I haven’t come to Kenya to spot wildlife. I’ve come to run.”

Whether running is your recreation, your religion, or just a spectator sport, Adharanand Finn’s incredible journey to the elite training camps of Kenya will captivate and inspire you. Part travelogue, part memoir, this mesmerizing quest to uncover the secrets of the world’s greatest runners - and put them to the test - combines practical advice, a fresh look at barefoot running, and hard-won spiritual insights.

As a boy growing up in the English countryside, Adharanand Finn was a natural runner. While other kids struggled, he breezed through schoolyard races, imagining he was one of his heroes: the Kenyan long-distance runners exploding into prominence as Olympic and world champions. But as he grew up, pursued a career in journalism, married and had children, those childhood dreams slipped away - until suddenly, in his mid-thirties, Finn realized he might have only one chance left to see how far his talents could take him.

Uprooting his family of five, including three small children, Finn traveled to Iten, a small, chaotic town in the Rift Valley province of Kenya - a mecca for long-distance runners thanks to its high altitude, endless running paths, and some of the top training schools in the world. Finn would run side by side with Olympic champions, young hopefuls, and barefoot schoolchildren... not to mention the exotic - and sometimes dangerous - wildlife for which Kenya is famous.

Here, too, he would meet a cast of colorful characters, including his unflappable guide, Godfrey Kiprotich, a former half marathon champion; Christopher Cheboiboch, one of the fastest men ever to run the New York City Marathon; and Japhet, a poor, bucktoothed boy with unsuspected reservoirs of courage and raw speed. Amid the daily challenges of training and of raising a family abroad, Finn would learn invaluable lessons about running - and about life.

©2012 Adharanand Finn (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Part scientific study, travel memoir, and tale of self-discovery, Finn’s journey makes for a smart and entertaining read.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Equal parts cultural examination, cult-of-running treatise, and poignant memoir, Running with the Kenyans thrives on a variety of levels. Like the skilled distance runner he is, Finn paces this book marvelously and then saves the best for the final kick. This book packs all the pleasure and satisfaction - and none of the ancillary pain - of a long training run.” (L. Jon Wertheim, senior editor, Sports Illustrated, and coauthor of the New York Times best seller Scorecasting)

“If you want to know the secrets of Kenyan runners, and have a rollicking adventure along the way, join Finn in his fascinating tale of what it is to go stride for stride with the fastest people on Earth.” (Neal Bascomb, author of The Perfect Mile)

One of the Best Running Books!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

it was great. John Lee, who I have listened to many times in the Peter Hamilton series really brings Finn to life. the accents and attitudes of the African runners made me feel like I knew them. Amazing. In many ways this book is less of a running book and more of a travel book. It gets you close to another culture and does so in a non-judgmental way based on curiosity. I was sad to see it end.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Running with the Kenyans?

Each part was interesting, I found the sections where Finn was just trying to figure out what was going on as he settled into the village of Etan fascinating. These are gentle, quiet giving, people and although Finn brought his Western sensibilities with him, he integrated into the Kenyan way of life and way of thinking in a remarkable way.

Which character – as performed by John Lee – was your favorite?

Honestly his running partners. Found these people to be very happy, without having or wanting many possessions. It came out in the characterizations and interpretation by Lee. But Finn is the most intriguing of all, his curiosity is infectious.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No I rarely do that...

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend to any runner especially if you like Born to Run. I would also recommend it to any emerging athlete, or traveler. Just a great, simple, heartwarming book.

For Runners Everywhere

To travel across the world or to a whole different country has to fist identify that the author and his family has a strong love for running. This book brought a new sense to running and has given me a new foundation to begin training... again, in a new style.

Altitude, form, a diet high in carbs and protein, and consistent efforts truly define what the author desires readers to gain from this book. Overall, a great read for runners everywhere.

A great lesson for anyone to achieve their highest potential

Author delivers most simple but easily forgotten truth about Kenyan runner dominance lies in their desire to win at all costs, pushing their bodies beyond limits. Success is achievable if you want it really bad

A must for runners

Would you listen to Running with the Kenyans again? Why?

I enjoyed all aspects of this book! The technical details around running form and gear, the social aspects of western versus African runners and Finn's journey make the entire book worth a second listen.

What did you like best about this story?

As a runner I cannot say any one thing hit me as the best thing about the book. I took different things away from it and even generated conversation with friend (runners and non-runners) based on the information.

What does John Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

John Lee is excellent at expressing what the author is trying to convey. I often found myself thinking of John Lee's voice as Finn's. I am sure the next book I listen to featuring John Lee will take some time re-adjust to him NOT being Finn.

so that's how they keep winning

Lively story about how a white guy moves to Africa to learn the ingredients of Kenyan running success. What makes this book especially interesting is that Finn actually lived and trained with the Kenyans. A terrific recap of his experiences as a vegetarian training for a marathon.

Well Done

This book was a great listen for my long weekend runs. The author explores the topic thoroughly, humorously, and warmly, while avoiding the "look at me, I'm oh so special" vibe that plagues baby-boomer memoirs.

The narrator was pitch-perfect, too.

Great Story and Analysis

This is a great book. It if filled with wonderful characters who provide inspiration and encouragement. The best element of the book was to expose the Kenyan way of running and the circumstances that illicit that kind of commitment. Listening to this story is time well spent.

Worth a Listen

It's a really great anecdotal account of the concept of why Kenyans are such strong runners. Ever since 'Born to Run' everyone's quick to say that barefoot running is the secret to all fast nationalities. But 'Running with the Kenyans' really looks into the ideologies and dogma of running culture of the country to help people better understand what's at stake for a successful Kenyan runner.

A must for runners

Well done...interesting research into why Kenyan runners are so dominant in the U.S. and olympics. Perhaps could have gone a bit deeper into the Kenyan youth and how they are groomed. A pretty cool tale of a whitey making his way around Kenya - an experience all to itself, and not in a bad way. I was there in 1977 and am white, we simply stick out. But, the Kenyan people are inquisitive and hold none of the prejudices we Americans seem to have. Note: This book is not about white and black, the author is clearly colorblind. He keeps almost entirely to his quest to race and train with the Kenyans and the stories of the running races is fascinating.

I actually was Running with the Kenyans

A running book matched by no other !
The author takes the reader on a runner tour along with some of the finest athletes on the planet.
The narrator, John Lee is the best! His accents nail the characters and make for a delightful experience !