• 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 (19,873 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

Featured Article: 55+ Quotes for Whenever You Need a Little Encouragement


We all have bad days and dry spells. We all experience moments of disappointment, sadness, and self-doubt. And occasionally, we all need an encouraging word—or several—to lift our spirits, boost our confidence, and fill us with hope. Straight from the works of best-selling and widely admired authors, here's a collection of positive and reassuring words you can turn to anytime you're in need of support.

What listeners say about Born to Run

Average customer ratings
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Amazing

What a book! I am motivated to learn more about running. These crazy super athletes. I will definitely read this book again.

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A Passionate Read

Wow! 3 days ago I had no idea I would be so hooked by this story. I am not a runner and wasn't in my plans reading about it. I exercise almost daily, but that was not the motive I read this book. I was looking at another listener's page, and saw this wonderful review about "Born To Run". Then, suddenly, instead of reading the 5 books that were already on my library, I bought this one and put in the top of the list. In 2 days I was finished. And, I miss this book already. I could feel the writer's heart pounding when I was reading it, the intense, passionate feelings about ultramarathon. I bought chia. It made me rethink about nike and, for the first time, I thought about running barefoot (or almost)....
Great book. Buy it. Read it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

You will want to run all day long.

It doesn't matter if you consider the act of running for the sake of running completely asinine, you will want to run by the time you are half-way through. This book reveals how those crazy running-addicted folks actually get themselves to do it everyday. It's about the beauty of running. He also really did his research and pulled together the history of running shoes (and their deleterious effects on running form), the anthropology of running, and a bunch of really great stories! This book will bring alive in you the need to just get out the door and run for the sake of running. I used to listen to music to distract myself from the run. Now I can't stand having music because I miss out on the beauty of it...sounds corny, but it's true. Enjoy!

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GREAT story, with excellent info throughtout!

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

Yes, awesome story that keeps you wondering what is going to happen next.

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?

The new perspective it brings to something that we have all done for our entire lives.

Have you listened to any of Fred Sanders’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

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  • DD
  • 01-14-15

Winning Combo!

Would you consider the audio edition of Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen to be better than the print version?

I had purchesed three or four audio books and Chose Born to Run as the one to listen to as I traveled across several states to the Disney Half Marathon and I was glad I did! My driver wasn't as happy for the sheer lack of conversation because the minute he took a breath I was hitting play. McDougall and Sanders are a winning combination! Some books are a one time deal not this one. I would have to say both the race and the book were well worth the time and money.

Any additional comments?

The only disappointing part of the book was that it had to end.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A wonderful and touching book!

Which scene was your favorite?

The race through the mountains with the Tarahumara and the "bru-ha" was a wonderful lesson and a pivotal part of the point. My persepective of why I run changed at about this point. Do it because you can and because you were born to! Enjoy it!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

One Man's Journey to Find Himself and Everyone Else at the Finish Line Together!

Any additional comments?

RIP Caballo Blanco. You touched my heart and taught me how to run!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Great book! Terrible reader!

I was reading this book and couldn't put it down but had chores, so I downloaded the audiobook. The reader sounds like he's reading a children's book. This is a great book, not just for runners, but I'd stick with the paper copy.

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loved it!

inspiring mixture of mystery, superhuman fetes, and a way of life that could make many of us healthier

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I love this book

I read it on kindle and rebought it to listen to on audible. Finish this book and you will want to run.

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Inspirational

Fantastic book, easy to follow, and very motivational. I'm looking forward to running my first 50 miler!

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