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

Chabochi is a Tarahumara word used throughout Born to Run to refer to white men. In Chapter 4, McDougall explains that “in the Tarahumara tongue, humans come in only two forms: there are Rarámuri, who run from trouble, and chabochis, who cause it” (29). This harsh view of the world stems from the centuries of exploitation and violence the Tarahumara have suffered from outside groups.

Creel is an old mining town located in Northwestern Mexico, bordering the Copper Canyons. The town plays a central role in Born to Run because it serves as a meeting place for Caballo and the author. It is in the lobby of an old hotel in Creel that McDougall first meets Caballo Blanco, who treks from the canyons there to use a computer and internet connection. Later, McDougall and the group of American runners meet Caballo in Creel to make their way into the canyons to participate in the race with the Tarahumara.

Iskiate is a traditional Tarahumara drink made by “dissolving chia seeds in water with a little sugar and a squirt of lime” (44). McDougall explains that it is otherwise known as “chia fresca,” and he was offered some by the schoolteacher for strength to hike out of the canyons.

Korima is a word in the Tarahumara language, which means that it is one’s “obligation to share whatever you can spare, instantly and with no expectations: once the gift leaves your hand, it was never yours to begin with” (37). McDougall explains that korima is the “cornerstone of Tarahumara culture” (37).

The Leadville Trail 100 is a 100-mile ultramarathon that takes place every year in Leadville, Colorado, “the highest city in North America” (57). The race was founded in 1982 as a way to boost tourism for the city after the mine, which employed the majority of the town’s adult male population, closed. The race plays a central role in Born to Run because the 1992-1994 Leadville races were some of the only times that Tarahumara runners competed in America. The Tarahumara runners all dropped out of the 1992 race early because they were unfamiliar with the running shoes they had been given and the customs of ultra competitions. However, in 1993, Tarahumara runners shattered course records and a Tarahumara runner won again in 1994 in a highly-anticipated race against Ann Trason, one of the greatest ultrarunners in the world.

Persistence hunting is an ancient form of hunting that took place largely before the development of advanced hunting weapons. In Chapter 28, McDougall explores the evolutionary discovery that humans were designed to run long distances while animals were designed to run fast but not long distances. This is because humans have the ability to dissipate heat on the run through breathing, but animals are forced to stop running to pant (228).

Pinole is a traditional Tarahumara food McDougall describes as “corn gruel” (36). Pinole is basically ground corn that is often mixed with water and drank or eaten with tortillas. Pinole plays an import role in Born to Run, as it is a staple of Tarahumara food, and even the American runners consume it because it is nutritious and easily carried while running.

Rarajipari is a traditional game played by the Tarahumara, which involves two teams kicking then catching up to a wooden ball and continually kicking and catching up to the ball until a determined distance has been met. McDougall was introduced to the game when he first visited the Copper Canyons and witnessed a game played by children. While the child version of the game covers much shorter distances, the adult version between opposing villages can last continuously for 24 or 48 hours and begins after a traditional alcohol-fueled party.

Ultrarunning, also commonly known as ultramarathons, are the name given to any race which exceeds the 26.2-mile distance of a traditional marathon. As the sport grew in popularity during the 1990s and 2000s, the shortened term ultra began to be used more commonly. During this time, the sport also began to expand to include races taking place either entirely or partially on dirt trails through mountains or deserts. The culture of ultrarunning and the evolution of the sport is the primary background for Born to Run.