Born to Run

A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen

By: Christopher McDougall

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The astonishing and hugely entertaining story that completely changed the way we run. An epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt?

“Equal parts quest, physiology treatise, and running history.... The climactic race reads like a sprint.... It simply makes you want to run.” —Outside Magazine

Isolated by Mexico's deadly Copper Canyons, the blissful Tarahumara Indians have honed the ability to run hundreds of miles without rest or injury. In a riveting narrative, award-winning journalist and often-injured runner Christopher McDougall sets out to discover their secrets. In the process, he takes his readers from science labs at Harvard to the sun-baked valleys and freezing peaks across North America, where ever-growing numbers of ultra-runners are pushing their bodies to the limit, and, finally, to a climactic race in the Copper Canyons that pits America’s best ultra-runners against the tribe. McDougall’s incredible story will not only engage your mind but inspire your body when you realize that you, indeed all of us, were born to run.

©2009 Knopf (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

“Compelling. . . . Entertaining. . . . [McDougall] uses an extended portrait of one of the world's least known cultures, the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico's Copper Canyons, to put modern American running under an exacting magnifying glass.”—San Francisco Chronicle

“Equal parts quest, physiology treatise, and running history. . . . [McDougall] seeks to learn the secrets of the Tarahumara the old-fashioned way: He tracks them down. . . . The climactic race reads like a sprint. . . . It simply makes you want to run.”—Outside Magazine

“Hugely entertaining. . . . One of the most joyful and engaging books about running to appear for many years.”—The Irish Times

Amazing

Spellbinding from start to finish. Didn't want it to end but couldn't put it down.

Wow! A perspective altering book!

Several of my friends had encouraged me to read this book, but I was convinced that I belonged to another species, one that was NOT born to run! But there has been something which fascinated me about running, despite my dislike of it, and so I capitulated and listened to this book. Wow! It was just incredible! It is very well written and researched and communicates a knowledge about running, ultramarathons, evolution, our bodies, mindfulness, compassion and love. I enjoyed every minute of this book, it was so well narrated by Fred Sanders who brought it the energy and excitement with which it ought to be read! I was convinced, I too am born to run!

Good information and story, a bit too much hype.

MacDougall provides a wide range of information about ultra marathoning and the tribe of "running savants" in Mexico. The author tries a little too hard to make a good story of what is sometimes just good information, and does some "over-writing" in the process.

Amazing tales of Ultra Runners

Well researched & written to entertain as well as inform.... a great explanation of human long distance running & I learned a few tricks as well!

Inspiring and Informative

Would you listen to Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen again? Why?

Yes, I very well might listen again to review the insights and scientific findings on why we run and how to do so efficiently and without injury.

Which scene was your favorite?

Caballo's final talk before the race. It was right on the mark, and quite moving for me.

If you could give Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen a new subtitle, what would it be?

How Long Distance Running Could Change the World

A must read

One of the best books I've ever read. Kept my attention throughout. Left me wanting to know more of the people that I'd been introduced to in the story and feeling a part of the journey at the same time.

Really inspiring, well reasearched, good narrattor

Nothing can ruin an audio book faster than a bad narrator. The narrator in this book is excellent and engaging. I was very happy with this production.

The book itself was very inspiring. I met Scot Jurek at Badwater a few years ago... what an awesome dude! If you like running, or history this is going to be a book you want to read.

Listen to it while you run!

This book definitely inspired me to give barefoot running a go. I love the idea of human beings having evolved to run long distances. Having studied anthropology in undergrad, I can guarantee that their are many biological anthropologists out there who would entirely disagree with the author's conclusions, but this is still a very interesting perspective.

Parts of the book are laid on a bit thick, however. The author makes the claim at one point that the obesity and heart disease epidemic plaguing America can all be traced back to the running shoe companies. He says that the reason Americans don't work out is due to that fact that running shoes put so much stress on the body. I agree that running shoes might not necessarily be the best idea, but I don't think that is why people don't exercise.

Now I love running!

This audio book is the best combination you can ask for in an audio book. A compelling story and great narration. Even non runners, that was me, by the way, will live this book. But beware, you might become a runner after or while listening. The story grabs you right away and won't let go. This is the first time I have been motivated to write a review and now...to run! Great education, entertainment and narration. Loved every minute.

Addictive

This book will make you want to run. It is truly addictive.