Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen

Explain how McDougall offended Arnulfo Quimare the first time the two met.

Discuss the importance of the rarajipari to Tarahumara culture. Does the ultrarunning events in the Copper Canyon honor the importance to the Tarahumara or exploit it? Support your answers with quotes from the text and outside sources.

Explain korima in Tarahumara culture. How does the race Caballo Blanco developed relate to this idea?

What reasons were given as to why the Tarahumara runners did not succeed in the 1992 Leadville 100? How do these reasons contribute to the criticisms McDougall has received about his book?

What anomaly of ultrarunning was Joe Vigil trying to figure out when he attended the 1994 Leadville 100? What value does this information have for the development of the sport? Has this information contributed to any changes or new trends in current ultrarunning competitions?

What does McDougall argue led to the death spiral of American distance running? Do you agree or disagree with his argument? Support your position with evidence from the text or outside sources.

Analyze the reason Scott Jurek finally decided to accept Caballo Blanco’s invitation to his race. What does his reasoning say about him as a person and/or the culture of ultrarunning in general?

What did Eric Orton mean when he told McDougall the Tarahumara were great athletes instead of great runners? Why is this distinction important, and how does this distinction translate into differences in training for ultrarunning?