• 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 (19,881 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: The Best Running Audiobooks You Should Be Listening to


Running can be an arduous task, especially for those who are new to the sport. It can also be a life-giving force for those who are already more involved in the running community. Either way, it’s one of the best athletic ventures to couple with a great audiobook. Listening to the inspirational stories of other runners can be just what you need to push through a difficult jog or set a new personal record. Our list of great listens about running has you covered.

What listeners say about Born to Run

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What a wonderful book.

I am not an Ultra runner—not yet. But this book on running, zen, nutrition, spirituality of imperfection, and so much more has convinced me that I was born to run and can do it like no one ever told me that I couldn’t or shouldn’t run like I was purpose built for it.

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Wow! A must read for every Runner 😁🏞️🏜️🙏

A must read for every runner. Graqt story telling, and I promise some wow experiences 😁🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️👌

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What a Story

This was a recommended book by my brother, who after having read it through at least five times has become an avid runner himself. I found the books flow engaging and enjoyable. The next chapter always seemed to answer a question that was on my mind. The story has given me a spark to a runner.

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Awesome

I have listened to this book about seven times and learn something new each time. I love the people involved.

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I loved this book!

I learned a lot about running, as well as about people and places. Its one of those books that you hate to see it come to an end at the same time as you cant wait to get to the end so you can find out what happens.

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Inspiring!

Motivates even non-runners and people considering joining the tribe. Literally one of the best stories you’ll ever listen to.

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Placing yourself in an adventure of education.

If you could sum up Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen in three words, what would they be?

I loved the book. Felt like I was being taken into an adventure while being educated along the way. Great book and being someone with ADD I never found myself spacing out or not paying attention.

What other book might you compare Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen to and why?

The Race before us by Bruce Matson.

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Inspirational

I loved nearly every bit of this amazing story. This book has made me want to be a better human, eat cleaner, and run like never before. A must read for everyone.

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Got me running again

Revived great memories of running when I was younger; so much so that I'm now running again and loving it.

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Pure joy

This is the perfect mashup of a great, intriguing story, running science and top notch humor. A runner will feel right at home with this book, while the story is good enough to be worth a listen regardless of your interest in sports!

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