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

Engrossing from beginning to end

Great story and great narration. I doubt anyone will regret hearing the story of some of the greatest athletes in the world sprinkled with some humor and a bit of suspense.

Spell binding!

This is my first review for Audible after many years of listening, and I found this book one of the most surprising and enjoyable of my many downloads. I am NOT a runner, but the story is so fascinating and the characters so gripping, that I have listened to this book many times. It tells a real story about people, yet intertwines science, medicine, history, and humor. The 100 mile races are incredible to read about, but the story telling is what catches you. That's the key - this is true story telling.

Spell-bound

Any additional comments?

Great story and great narration!

I ran longer than planned this morning as I listened to the story and began to realize there is so much more to accomplish by tuning in to what my body is telling me.

I couldn't stop until the book was over!

I am not a runner.

I am not a runner, my runner boyfriend spent months convincing me I would like this book. I did. I loved it. Very well written, a great story, great characters.

I actually got out and ran after listening.

Real Face of Running.

I will not tell this book is amazing and you should read that. I will tell you something else. In this book you'll find amazing story with some philisophical aspects, history of running and the real passion. Scott Jurek always was my idol. Now I love him :)

What a finish!

Inspiring, informative and funny. Need help getting off the couch to go for a run? This book might be the most delightful way to get you moving.

I'm not a runner

It is an interesting insite into the unltramarathon runner's world. The story kept my attention the entire time and I learned new information about the "Hidden Tribe". I wonder if the man who showed up a Mt. Whitney in shorts and sandals and ran to the top and back in a very short time was one of these Indian runners. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone, runner or not, for it is informative, a good story and I came away knowing more than I did before listening to it.

Interesting and motivational

Enjoyed the play by play of the ultras that were talked about along with the detailed background of the runners involved. Good read.

Love this book!!!!

Entertaining, informative & inspiring! I finished it and wanted to hear it again to take notes.

Not a runner but this book made me want to be

Great story - everything you would want in a story and told well. Take off your shoes and go for a run, it’s what you were made to do