• 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
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (19,872 ratings)

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Born to Run  By  cover art

Born to Run

By: Christopher McDougall
Narrated by: Fred Sanders
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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

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What listeners say about Born to Run

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interesting story

maybe a bit dull in parts but overall a good listen! motivated me to ramp up my running and try out more minimal running shoes.

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Wow!

As a runner things brings many things into light that I have never thought about- from unnecessary items to hidden running tribes - what a great book!

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loved it!!

loved! this read like a great fiction novel. wonderful writing style, which was entertaining, comedic and informative.

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killer story

best I've heard in a while, mainly because of the flow of the story, and substories in the book.

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Super Inspiring

Loved the story, history, and characters. Truly inspiring and full of insights that every runner should know about our sport. United we run!

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Time to go for a run

This book far exceeded my expectations. It has everything, education, fun and drama. I was stoping to learn about the people he talks about along the way a learned even more.

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Couldn't Stop Listening

Found it easy to be dedicated to this book. Fun and engaging blend of informative and entertaining.

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worth the listen

best narrator I have heard thus far. great book to remind you of your natural nature and also give you some history of ultra running.

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We are ALL born to run

This book will inspire you to dig deep into the very nature of your being!

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More entertainment than expected

I wasn’t sure what to expect but the characters development was great. The insights from many professors was interesting. Great flow. Simplifying science (biomechanics, evolution) and weaving it into the story was amazing!

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