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)

Runners read this!

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book, but I really love running. It is full of interesting theories and facts and really inspiring to get out there and run, just run. It also has some great stories to be told along the way. Highly recommended, especially if you have an interest in running.

Fascinating, page-turner for every runner

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

One of the best book on running, it's engaging and motivating. I trained for my first 21k listening to Born to Run all the way.

What about Fred Sanders’s performance did you like?

Great voice and intonation, Sanders captured the excitement and thrill of running in the wild with the Tarahumara

Amazing!

What made the experience of listening to Born to Run: the most enjoyable?

A great read; entertaining, insightful, funny, and factual. I would recommend this book to even non-runners.

Must read!! Loved the story!!

The narrator has done a really good job and I loved how it inspires us to run and the entire story is very captivating to listen to! Learnt a lot from this book.

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!

Loved it

Where does Born to Run: rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

At the top

What other book might you compare Born to Run: to and why?

For me its out on its own

What about Fred Sanders’s performance did you like?

He portrayed the characters well

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

all of it

inspiring

loved it... want to run... if not as an ultra runner... atleast upto be a usual marthoner

exceptional in every way

positively devoured this book. exceptionally written. amazing story. life changing revelations on what this body of mine can achieve.

A romantic book for runners

great book. author tries to play role of a scientific researcher as well which - to a scientific mind - looks very half baked. but nonetheless the story is extremely interesting and keeps you hooked till end. if you are even slightly interested in long distance running, you will love this book.

The journey, not just the destination

If you could sum up Born to Run: in three words, what would they be?

Creative, Facts, Options

Who was your favorite character and why?

Barefoot Ted

What does Fred Sanders bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Allows me to be on the move

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me curious

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the creative journey of the book, having just got into long distance running I am digesting a lot at the moment..