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

Riveting, hilarious, eye-opening. We are born to run.

This book changed my life when it was published 10 years ago. It was just as good on a second “read”. I used to be a perpetually-injured, “flat-footed” runner in $300 orthotics until I read this book and started gradually strengthening my feet by barefooting and wearing thinner shoes. Today I enjoy running barefoot, and the only shoes I wear are minimalist ones, and I couldn’t be happier with the change. This book has reignited my passion for running, and it will for you too! Even if you’re not a runner, this is a fantastic listen. Christopher McDougall weaves a riveting, exciting, hilarious narrative, and Fred Sanders is a good narrator.

Fun one

This book was a fun listen from beginning to end. Christopher McDougall is a wonderful storyteller. And I don’t even run.

great book

highly recommend this book. it's laid out like an interesting story, switching between world building and intense thriller parts.

Loved every minute of it.

If you could sum up Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen in three words, what would they be?

As a former runner, I related to everything in this book. It has modivated me to get back out on the road. Very entertaining, very informative.

Inspirational & Educational

This book is awesome! The narrative style of writing, along with the good research the author used makes you enjoy a good story while you get smarter at the same time. I don't agree with everything the author says, but I give partial credit to this book for running my first half marathon and making homemade running sandals for my boys.

Nice mix of inspiration, adventure and debunking

What did you love best about Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen?

The way McDougal gradually unfolds the story of the Tarahumaru and Caballo, pausing for short bios of some great international athletes of the last 50 years.

Also, I especially liked the chapters spent debunking common misconceptions about running styles, expensive footwear and injuries and the chapters that went into the evolution of our hunting techniques.

What other book might you compare Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen to and why?

Far more interesting than Finding Ultra.

Which character – as performed by Fred Sanders – was your favorite?

Chris and Caballo

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?

Why did we change thousands of years of good running technique in the last 50 years?

Life changing book!

What made the experience of listening to Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen the most enjoyable?

The stories about the people

What did you like best about this story?

The stories about the people and what changed them.

Which scene was your favorite?

The ending

Any additional comments?

I really feel this book can be life changing, not only as a runner, but in the ways one approaches life. There were a few parts that I felt were tedious and boring (some of the scientific parts regarding hunting antelopes), and I prefer stories about people, but my husband really enjoyed some of the scientific parts so there's something for everyone! I find myself eating better and trying to make a move towards minimalistic running.

Seriously -- Do Yourself a Favor, Buy it.

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

Yes, because it was an amazing, inspiring read.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen?

Learning in order to be a good runner, you need to give up the idea that you're running to be skinner, or better. You need to run because you love it.

What about Fred Sanders’s performance did you like?

The way he really got into the book and portrayed the authors ideas

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

To love running for what it is -- a break from real life and what we were born to do.

Any additional comments?

This book was so good I'm making my boyfriend read it. It really inspired me to hit the road again, but not to make myself skinner, as I've ALWAYS tried before, and then failed. I started running again just to see if I could love it for what it was. Sure enough, I truly do.

This may change your life....

One of the best books I've ever come across. Well written and inspiring. Loved it!

Inspirational

I'm 41. I've been running off and on for most of my life. It's always been a dream of mine to run a marathon. Well, this book ruined that dream. Having been injured several times running, I've thrown off my shoes and adopted a new dream. 100 miles baby though the wilderness!! Woohoo!!