Born to Run

A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen

By: Christopher McDougall

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

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

Buy it.

If, like me, you're not really a runner - don't let that fact steer you away from Christopher McDougall's new book. With an enthralling cast of true characters and a writing style that is laugh out loud funny... "Born to Run" would be a great summer road trip listen. At least that was my plan for next week's vacation, but once I started listening, I couldn't stop (the narration was excellent). The story: well, I even was inspired to take my creaky, over 50 knees outside for a run to hear the last couple of hours... and that's sayin' somethin'. I hope the author saved a few stories; I'd love a sequel.

I've told everyone I know about this book

Born to Run was a very fun book to read, and full of amazing characters, but what I loved the most were all the nuggets of interesting and useful information sandwiched into the story (i.e. studies on the value of running shoes, the superfood Chia seeds, the backgrounds of successful ultra distance runners). I'm sure it starting to annoy my wife how much I cite things from this book, but it's too good not to share it.

In addition to being an interesting book with tons of good info, it was incredibly well written, and the authors humor is spot on.

Outstanding

I really enjoyed this book. It is by far one of the best listens out there. I found myself looking for chores/tasks to do that would give me an excuse to keep listening to the book. Well written, funny and educational.

Inspiring read for runners and non runners alike

As a 40 something mediocre runner with aspirations to do a marathon, I found this book completely inspiring. McDougall weaves so much information into an engrossing storyline. Science, anthropology, medicine, humor and suspense....makes you want to kick off your shoes and keep going. I listened while I ran and hardly wanted to stop.

Not just for runners

This is one of the best audio books I've listened to in a long while. The subject matter, although about running is so much more than that. McDougall does a fantastic job of introducing the characeters of the book as well as mixing in science with a very interesting story. I feel fortunate to have discovered this book. A must read/listen. Fred Sanders does a great job of narrating the book.

Fabulous listen

Inspirational combination of fact, science, and excellent storytelling make this title a must read for anyone who has ever tried to run anywhere for any reason. If you aren't athletic, this book still has something for you as it is filled with fascinating characters, excellent narration, and humor that had me guffawing on half a dozen occasions. Brilliant!

A must read.

One of the absolute best books ever on the subject of running. By the end of the book I was "fast walking barefoot in Washington DC and having a bearfoot breakfast at La Madeline. Orginally bought the book for it's historical reference to my ancestors, the Taramahara indians of Northern Mexico but got a whole lot more. A must read!

Really entertaining, and makes you want to run.

I had so much fun listening to this book. And it made me want to get out there and run -- barefoot! It's really sweeping the running world. Everyone I know is reading it, and I can understand why. It's just a lot of fun to read.

Adventure+science+running equals a great read

I came to this book expecting a great adventure story about an isolated tribe of Indians. It delivered on every count with a bonus. The history and science woven into the story captivates and inspires the reader in a way most non-fiction can never do. Get this book, get inspired, you were born to run, and here's the proof.

Evolution, Ultra running, Diet & more

This book was a pleasant surprise with all the other tidbits of information you learn that surrounds running. Everything from the origination of running shoes to the fact that ultra running is a very rare sport where men do not have an advantage over women. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to look up pictures of the real people who make up the characters of this incredible story.