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  • 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 (1,175 ratings)

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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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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

worst book I have ever read

The story was long and boring. It could have been told in 1 hour. The interesting part of the book only comes around it's 3/4 and lasts for half an hour. I don't know how this book became a best seller.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting and v enjoyable

As a runner I found his investigations and findings fascinating, I even tried some of the techniques. Told very well so as not to become boring and an ending that had me on the edge of my seat. Very well narrated too.

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So good, I’ll probably ‘read it’ again lol

Very informative, loved it! Would recommend for anyone whose serious about their running! Well narrated too!

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Totally fascinating, am hooked!

What a wonderful story, mesmerisingly vivid scenery, tales of courage and strength and a great insight into the history of running.

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Excellent

This is an excellent story, and very well narrated. Engaging, passionate and informative. I loved it. Worth every penny

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating and enthralling read

I tried reading the hard copy of this book once but couldn't get in to it. Knowing I couldn't call myself a runner without having read it, I decided to listen to the audio version. I quickly fell in to the story and found myself constantly sitting in the car listening longer and longer.
I found the science of the human makeup just as fascinating and engaging as the main race.
I would have to agree now, every runner should read this book!
The reader of this book does a great job too. I could have listened to him all day (and nearly did on some days).

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  • Amy
  • 13-03-2015

Loved it!

This book exceeded my expectations. Very informative and inspiring. Useful even as a total novice ;) I'll definitely read it again

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

An easy but lengthy listen

Fred Sanders delivers the story excellently, only to be slightly let down by some of the side stories the book goes to that are a little out of the way. Definitely inspired me to go for some runs throughout the listen!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent audio book

As someone who just started running and who loves to barefoot, this inspired me so much to just enjoy running and go barefoot running.

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Fabulous Book!

This book was a very interesting book to read/listen to. I enjoyed the whole story within it as well as all the advice given throughout it.

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