Although none of us are runners, let alone ultrarunners, the members of the Nonfiction Book Club vicariously explored the culture of ultrarunners and learned about the Tarahumara people, an indigenous people who live in northern Mexico. Christopher McDougall began the research that led to Born to Run in an attempt to figure out why his foot hurt when he ran. He met
and spoke with ultrarunners (who run 50 km. or more) and scientists who study running. He heard of the existence of the Tarahumara, a tribe in Mexico who run incredibly long distances for the fun of it. McDougall and a group of ultrarunners from the U.S. set out for Mexico's Copper Canyon to find the Tarahumara and challenge them to a race. McDougall introduces his readers to eccentric characters as he combines sports, science, and adventure. Our members voted this book a solid 4. Recommended for most book clubs.

The author mixed adventure, facts and humor into a "hard to put down" book.

Born to Run was a book that challenged much of what we "were sure we knew". There was a lot to learn along with an interesting assembly of characters. Lots of discussion, so this was a good book club pick!