Best Running (non-instructional) Books

1.
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen 4.30 avg rating — 228,773 ratings
2.
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running 3.87 avg rating — 193,978 ratings
3.
Once a Runner
Once a Runner 4.08 avg rating — 15,919 ratings
4.
Eat & Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness
Eat & Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness 4.03 avg rating — 38,460 ratings
5.
Night Running: A Book of Essays About Breaking Through
Night Running: A Book of Essays About Breaking Through 3.77 avg rating — 100 ratings
6.
The Perfect Mile: Three Athletes, One Goal, and Less Than Four Minutes to Achieve It
The Perfect Mile: Three Athletes, One Goal, and Less Than Four Minutes to Achieve It 4.22 avg rating — 9,994 ratings
7.
Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner
Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner 4.02 avg rating — 20,917 ratings
8.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption 4.39 avg rating — 989,147 ratings
9.
Running with the Buffaloes: A Season Inside with Mark Wetmore, Adam Goucher, and the University of Colorado Men's Cross-Country Team
Running with the Buffaloes: A Season Inside with Mark Wetmore, Adam Goucher, and the University of Colorado Men's Cross-Country Team 4.22 avg rating — 6,220 ratings
10.
Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World's Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself
Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World's Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself
by: Rich Roll
4.02 avg rating — 26,344 ratings
11.
Bowerman and the Men of Oregon: The Story of Oregon's Legendary Coach and Nike's Co-founder
Bowerman and the Men of Oregon: The Story of Oregon's Legendary Coach and Nike's Co-founder 4.22 avg rating — 2,637 ratings
12.
Running with the Kenyans: Passion, Adventure, and the Secrets of the Fastest People on Earth
Running with the Kenyans: Passion, Adventure, and the Secrets of the Fastest People on Earth 3.94 avg rating — 9,946 ratings
13.
Running & Being: The Total Experience
Running & Being: The Total Experience 3.74 avg rating — 1,562 ratings
14.
Marathon Woman: Running the Race to Revolutionize Women's Sports
Marathon Woman: Running the Race to Revolutionize Women's Sports 4.22 avg rating — 2,504 ratings
15.
Why We Run: A Natural History
Why We Run: A Natural History 3.82 avg rating — 2,884 ratings
16.
Duel in the Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley, and America's Greatest Marathon
Duel in the Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley, and America's Greatest Marathon 4.07 avg rating — 2,291 ratings
17.
Pre: The Story of America's Greatest Running Legend, Steve Prefontaine
Pre: The Story of America's Greatest Running Legend, Steve Prefontaine 4.03 avg rating — 3,843 ratings
18.
Who She Is
Who She Is 4.15 avg rating — 434 ratings
19.
Resolve
Resolve 3.94 avg rating — 977 ratings
20.
The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances (Volume 5) (The Oatmeal)
The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances (Volume 5) (The Oatmeal) 4.17 avg rating — 9,379 ratings
21.
Measure Twice
Measure Twice 3.91 avg rating — 756 ratings
22.
Chariots of Fire
Chariots of Fire 3.96 avg rating — 421 ratings
23.
Again to Carthage
Again to Carthage 4.04 avg rating — 3,268 ratings
24.
50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days -- and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance!
50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days -- and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance! 3.78 avg rating — 4,089 ratings
25.
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike 4.46 avg rating — 350,760 ratings
26.
Run! 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss
Run! 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss 3.93 avg rating — 3,641 ratings
27.
Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump 4.01 avg rating — 71,431 ratings
28.
Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens And Hitler's Olympics
Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens And Hitler's Olympics 3.86 avg rating — 1,762 ratings
29.
The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner
The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner 3.78 avg rating — 7,110 ratings
30.
A Race Like No Other: 26.2 Miles Through the Streets of New York
A Race Like No Other: 26.2 Miles Through the Streets of New York 3.92 avg rating — 1,426 ratings
31.
Lore of Running
Lore of Running 4.16 avg rating — 1,892 ratings
32.
Racing the Rain
Racing the Rain 4.15 avg rating — 1,580 ratings
33.
Venture: The Rogue Expeditions Story
Venture: The Rogue Expeditions Story 4.58 avg rating — 31 ratings
34.
Running Away
Running Away 3.60 avg rating — 695 ratings
35.
Feet in the Clouds: A Tale of Fell-Running and Obsession
Feet in the Clouds: A Tale of Fell-Running and Obsession 4.12 avg rating — 2,074 ratings
36.
The Way of the Runner: A Journey into the Fabled World of Japanese Running
The Way of the Runner: A Journey into the Fabled World of Japanese Running 3.80 avg rating — 3,215 ratings
37.
Harriers: The Making of a Championship Cross Country Team
Harriers: The Making of a Championship Cross Country Team 3.59 avg rating — 58 ratings
37.
Beyond Birkie Fever
Beyond Birkie Fever 4.37 avg rating — 89 ratings
37.
With Grace Under Pressure
With Grace Under Pressure
by: M. Rae
4.33 avg rating — 24 ratings
40.
The Runner (Tillerman Cycle, #4)
The Runner (Tillerman Cycle, #4) 3.82 avg rating — 3,037 ratings
41.
Eric Liddell: Pure Gold : A New Biography of the Olympic Champion Who Inspired Chariots of Fire
Eric Liddell: Pure Gold : A New Biography of the Olympic Champion Who Inspired Chariots of Fire 4.28 avg rating — 604 ratings
42.
The Running Dream
The Running Dream 4.29 avg rating — 32,035 ratings
43.
The Long Walk
The Long Walk 4.06 avg rating — 224,274 ratings
43.
My Life on the Run: The Wit, Wisdom, and Insights of a Road Racing Icon
My Life on the Run: The Wit, Wisdom, and Insights of a Road Racing Icon 3.97 avg rating — 2,802 ratings
45.
Kings of the Road: How Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, and Alberto Salazar Made Running Go Boom
Kings of the Road: How Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, and Alberto Salazar Made Running Go Boom 3.91 avg rating — 463 ratings
46.
Rabbit, Run (Rabbit Angstrom, #1)
Rabbit, Run (Rabbit Angstrom, #1) 3.59 avg rating — 62,559 ratings
47.
Running with the Pack: Thoughts from the Road on Meaning and Mortality
Running with the Pack: Thoughts from the Road on Meaning and Mortality 3.62 avg rating — 612 ratings
47.
The Incomplete Book of Running
The Incomplete Book of Running 3.85 avg rating — 5,880 ratings
49.
I Run, Therefore I Am--Nuts!
I Run, Therefore I Am--Nuts! 3.35 avg rating — 266 ratings
50.
Hell's Ultra
Hell's Ultra 4.22 avg rating — 9 ratings
50.
Go, Gwen, Go: A Family's Journey to Olympic Gold
Go, Gwen, Go: A Family's Journey to Olympic Gold 3.99 avg rating — 354 ratings
52.
To Be a Runner: How Racing Up Mountains, Running with the Bulls, or Just Taking on a 5-K Makes You a Better Person and the World a Better Place
To Be a Runner: How Racing Up Mountains, Running with the Bulls, or Just Taking on a 5-K Makes You a Better Person and the World a Better Place 3.78 avg rating — 1,084 ratings
53.
Heartbeat
Heartbeat 3.94 avg rating — 10,393 ratings
54.
The Long Run: A New York City Firefighter's Triumphant Comeback from Crash Victim to Elite Athlete
The Long Run: A New York City Firefighter's Triumphant Comeback from Crash Victim to Elite Athlete
by: Matt Long
4.14 avg rating — 3,424 ratings
55.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Runners - 31 Stories of Adventure, Comebacks, and Family Ties
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Runners - 31 Stories of Adventure, Comebacks, and Family Ties 3.36 avg rating — 50 ratings
55.
Seven: In the Lane of Hope
Seven: In the Lane of Hope 4.33 avg rating — 15 ratings
57.
Today We Die a Little!: The Inimitable Emil Zátopek, the Greatest Olympic Runner of All Time
Today We Die a Little!: The Inimitable Emil Zátopek, the Greatest Olympic Runner of All Time 4.29 avg rating — 1,471 ratings
58.
Natural Born Heroes: How a Daring Band of Misfits Mastered the Lost Secrets of Strength and Endurance
Natural Born Heroes: How a Daring Band of Misfits Mastered the Lost Secrets of Strength and Endurance 3.84 avg rating — 9,801 ratings
58.
The Road to Sparta : Retracing the Ancient Battle and Epic Run That Inspired the World's Greatest Foot Race
The Road to Sparta : Retracing the Ancient Battle and Epic Run That Inspired the World's Greatest Foot Race 3.87 avg rating — 1,473 ratings
60.
Women Who Run With the Wolves
Women Who Run With the Wolves 4.11 avg rating — 90,533 ratings
60.
Couple on the Run
Couple on the Run 3.93 avg rating — 14 ratings
62.
Jesse: The Man Who Outran Hitler
Jesse: The Man Who Outran Hitler 4.06 avg rating — 116 ratings
63.
Going Long: Legends, Oddballs, Comebacks & Adventures
Going Long: Legends, Oddballs, Comebacks & Adventures 3.92 avg rating — 744 ratings
64.
Portrait of a Girl Running (Portraits, #1)
Portrait of a Girl Running (Portraits, #1) 3.79 avg rating — 111 ratings
64.
Depression Hates a Moving Target: How Running With My Dog Brought Me Back From the Brink
Depression Hates a Moving Target: How Running With My Dog Brought Me Back From the Brink 3.72 avg rating — 1,921 ratings
66.
Runner
Runner 4.03 avg rating — 3,541 ratings
66.
Life at These Speeds
Life at These Speeds 4.06 avg rating — 732 ratings
66.
Slow Fat Trialthete
Slow Fat Trialthete 4.04 avg rating — 662 ratings
69.
Spartan Up!: A Take-No-Prisoners Guide to Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Peak Performance in Life
Spartan Up!: A Take-No-Prisoners Guide to Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Peak Performance in Life 3.91 avg rating — 2,072 ratings
69.
The Perfect Distance - Ovett and Coe: The Record-Breaking Rivalry
The Perfect Distance - Ovett and Coe: The Record-Breaking Rivalry 4.03 avg rating — 282 ratings
69.
Running Man
Running Man 4.18 avg rating — 2,273 ratings
72.
The Jade Rabbit
The Jade Rabbit 3.33 avg rating — 104 ratings
72.
FUEL
FUEL 3.81 avg rating — 62 ratings
74.
Terry: Terry Fox and His Marathon of Hope
Terry: Terry Fox and His Marathon of Hope 4.38 avg rating — 345 ratings
75.
The Quotable Runner: Great Moments of Wisdom, Inspiration, Wrongheadedness, and Humor
The Quotable Runner: Great Moments of Wisdom, Inspiration, Wrongheadedness, and Humor 3.93 avg rating — 134 ratings
75.
Vegetarian Bodybuilding: Vegetarian and Vegan tips for Health & Fitness
Vegetarian Bodybuilding: Vegetarian and Vegan tips for Health & Fitness 3.55 avg rating — 11 ratings
75.
Girl Runner
Girl Runner 3.66 avg rating — 1,706 ratings
78.
Chasing the Runner's High
Chasing the Runner's High 3.57 avg rating — 47 ratings
78.
Boston, a Century of Running: Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Boston Athletic Association Marathon
Boston, a Century of Running: Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Boston Athletic Association Marathon 3.86 avg rating — 43 ratings
78.
The Champion Maker
The Champion Maker 3.36 avg rating — 11 ratings
81.
The Complete Book of Running
The Complete Book of Running 3.85 avg rating — 578 ratings
81.
Footnotes: How Running Makes Us Human
Footnotes: How Running Makes Us Human 3.71 avg rating — 531 ratings
83.
Tread Lightly
Tread Lightly 3.85 avg rating — 310 ratings
83.
Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance
Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance 4.12 avg rating — 18,411 ratings
85.
Keep on Running: The Highs and Lows of a Marathon Addict
Keep on Running: The Highs and Lows of a Marathon Addict 3.45 avg rating — 538 ratings
85.
The Long Run: A Memoir of Loss and Life in Motion
The Long Run: A Memoir of Loss and Life in Motion 3.62 avg rating — 672 ratings
85.
Running Home
Running Home 4.10 avg rating — 1,948 ratings
88.
Running Hot
Running Hot 3.76 avg rating — 233 ratings
88.
Running for My Life: One Lost Boy's Journey from the Killing Fields of Sudan to the Olympic Games
Running for My Life: One Lost Boy's Journey from the Killing Fields of Sudan to the Olympic Games 4.40 avg rating — 8,750 ratings
90.
On The Run From Dogs and People
On The Run From Dogs and People 4.13 avg rating — 31 ratings
91.
Sole Sisters: Stories of Women and Running
Sole Sisters: Stories of Women and Running 3.67 avg rating — 506 ratings
91.
Thirty Phone Booths to Boston
Thirty Phone Booths to Boston 3.89 avg rating — 36 ratings
93.
Marathoning
Marathoning 3.47 avg rating — 43 ratings
93.
Run the World: My 3,500-Mile Journey Through Running Cultures Around the Globe
Run the World: My 3,500-Mile Journey Through Running Cultures Around the Globe 3.90 avg rating — 1,411 ratings
95.
The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life: What 35 Years of Running Has Taught Me About Winning, Losing, Happiness, Humility, and the Human Heart
The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life: What 35 Years of Running Has Taught Me About Winning, Losing, Happiness, Humility, and the Human Heart 3.91 avg rating — 1,078 ratings
95.
The Runner's Literary Companion: Great Stories and Poems About Running
The Runner's Literary Companion: Great Stories and Poems About Running 3.66 avg rating — 188 ratings
97.
My race be won
My race be won 4.33 avg rating — 6 ratings
97.
100 Miles to Destiny: A Novel on Running
100 Miles to Destiny: A Novel on Running 3.22 avg rating — 9 ratings
97.
Running Through the Wall: Personal Encounters with the Ultramarathon
Running Through the Wall: Personal Encounters with the Ultramarathon 3.86 avg rating — 556 ratings
97.
The Longest Fall
The Longest Fall 3.75 avg rating — 20 ratings
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