Born to Run:

The Hidden Tribe, the Ultra-Runners, 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

Full of incredible characters, amazing athletic achievements, cutting-edge science, and, most of all, pure inspiration, Born to Run is an epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt?

In search of an answer, Christopher McDougall sets off to find a tribe of the world's greatest distance runners and learn their secrets - and in the process shows us that everything we thought we knew about running is wrong.

Isolated by the most savage terrain in North America, the reclusive Tarahumara Indians of Mexico's deadly Copper Canyons are custodians of a lost art. For centuries they have practiced techniques that allow them to run hundreds of miles without rest and chase down anything from a deer to an Olympic marathoner while enjoying every mile of it. Their superhuman talent is matched by uncanny health and serenity, leaving the Tarahumara immune to the diseases and strife that plague modern existence.

With the help of Caballo Blanco, a mysterious loner who lives among the tribe, the author was able not only to uncover the secrets of the Tarahumara but also to find his own inner ultra-athlete, as he trained for the challenge of a lifetime: a 50-mile race through the heart of Tarahumara country pitting the tribe against an odd band of Americans, including a star ultramarathoner, a beautiful young surfer, and a barefoot wonder. With a sharp wit and wild exuberance, McDougall takes us from the high-tech 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 the climactic race in the Copper Canyons.

Born to Run is that rare book that will not only engage your mind but inspire your body when you realize that the secret to happiness is right at your feet, and that you, indeed all of us, were born to run.

©2009 Christopher McDougall (P)2012 Audible Ltd

Critic reviews

"Hugely entertaining.... One of the most joyful and engaging books about running to appear for many years." (Times)

"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)

Non Fiction that reads like Fiction

Any additional comments?

Hard to say more than the other reviews. This book changed my view of running, and opened up a new world of ultra running that I never knew existed. Great read for anyone wanting to be inspired to put on those running shoes (or take them off as the case may be ;)

Most inspirational book I've read(listen to)

Loved this book. Im going to get a physical copy of it now after listening to it. Really, really made me want to get out and run.

Thrilling, entertaining and insightful

Fantastically weaved anecdotes from all around different cultures and continents to tell a great story of what each ons of us should do more. Run.
Yes, it gets absurd and there are factual irregularities - but there plenty of baby left when the bath water is chucked! Just eniov

A must read for Runners

This is a must-read book for runners out there

Very interesting history and I'm sure you will get various insights out of this book.

Inspirational!

This book kept me coming back for me and has changed me as an athlete. I would highly recommend it!

loved this book. great story and well told.

absolutely recommend this book - fantastic. it has heart, drama, soul and a beautiful message :)

Absolutely brilliant

Deeply moving, passionate and spectacular! If you have any love of trail running this is it!

interesting but poc take a pause

if you're interested in running, there are some great anecdotes about real runners. However, the constant "othering" of latin American people and "mystic native" tropes get really tiresome. there's a whole chapter at the beginning devoted to garish gang violence for no reason except to prop up the author's own ego and sense of bravado. The auditor's "colorful" descriptions come off as dated and earn a fair few eye rolls...