• 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
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (330 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

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)

What listeners say about Born to Run:

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Completely changed my thoughts on running!

I recently watched Chris’ TED talk, “Are we born to run?”, and immediately got hooked on his masterful way of storytelling. “Born to Run” was an even better experience and made me completely reconsider the way I think about running. I love the combination of sport science, anthropology, storytelling, good humour and compassion. Narration by Fred Sanders is excellent and keeps you hooked throughout the book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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The Love of Running just Shone!!

I was enthralled from the get go to the very last word. Kilometres disappeared beneath my feet as the story of the Greatest Runners on the planet wove magic before my eyes. Wow! Loved every word, paragraph and chapter. What a read!

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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

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Absolutely brilliant

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

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Loved it

A great story from start to finish! Makes you want to lace up your running shoes.

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Extraordinary book for all long distance runners

Waited 12years to read this book and I wasn't disappointed. One of the in-depth peek into a beautiful running tribe and many learnings about why humans are built to run.

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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.

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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...

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awesome

loved this book... great stories as well as interesting information. Didn't want it to end.

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Inspirational!

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

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