The best running books to read while bored in lockdown, from Scott Jurek’s story to finding the Kenyans’ secrets

To a non-runner, the thought of reading a book about running might seem painfully boring. Surely, a sport this repetitive does not lend itself to story telling. But the literature around ultra, trail and road running is rich and enthralling. The depths and introspection that hours of training and racing provokes creates profound observations and character arcs.

Here are some books worth checking out, whether you are a runner or not.

Running with the Kenyans

Adharanand Finn was at a crossroads in his life. He realised time had slipped away and his promise to himself to start running again was now made years ago and looking empty. Finn reacted drastically, uprooted his family and moved to the town that produces the world’s most successful runners, in rural Kenya.

This excellent personal journey of discovery is framed in a sociological look at what makes Kenyans such successful athletes. The lazy answer is genetics, but Finn explores and finds more factors at play, from upbringing, culture, diet, training schedules, rest and more.