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  • The Longest Race

  • A Lifelong Runner, an Iconic Ultramarathon, and the Case for Human Endurance
  • By: Ed Ayres
  • Narrated by: Richard Waterhouse
  • Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (23 ratings)

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The Longest Race cover art

The Longest Race

By: Ed Ayres
Narrated by: Richard Waterhouse
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Publisher's Summary

First and foremost a book about running, The Longest Race takes listeners alongside ultramarathoner Ed Ayres as he prepares for, runs, and finishes the JFK 50-mile race at a then record-breaking time for his age division - 60 and older. But for Ayres, this race was about more than just running, and the book also encompasses his musings and epiphanies along the way about possibilities for human achievement and the creation of a sustainable civilization.

Looking back over a lifetime of more than 50 years of long-distance running, Ayres realizes that his running has taught him important lessons about endurance, patience, and foresight. These qualities, also hallmarks of being human, likely helped humans to survive and thrive in the evolutionary race - and, Ayres posits, they are qualities absolutely necessary to building a sustainable society.

Grounding each step of his argument are vivid details from this particular race and other moments across his long running career. These experiences take us far beyond the sport, into new perspectives on our origins as future - and what it means to be a part of the human race. In the end, Ayres suggests, if we can recapture the running prowess and overall physical fitness of our "wild" ancient distance-hunting ancestors, we will also be equipped to keep our bodies, our society, and the entire world running long into the future.

©2012 Ed Ayres (P)2012 AudioGO

What listeners say about The Longest Race

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Brilliant and thought-provoking analysis

Such an interesting book - taking as its central idea the notion that sustainability and biological complexity is encapsulated in the human body undertaking long-distance running. If you also want useful running tips, the author provides useful guidance in the appendix at the end. So much to absorb in this wonderful book - definitely worth multiple listens.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting story that at times gets off track

Overall this is an ok listen. At times though it feels like the author is preaching at the listener about there own views as opposed to just telling the story.

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Goes off on tangents

I started listening it stopped because I got bored when it went off on a tangent about the civil war. I thought it was meant to be about running?

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