What happened when the Tarahumaras' love of ultrarunning went global?

[Judi Lynn]

The book Born to Run brought attention to an indigenous Mexican’s people feats of long-distance running. A new documentary looks at what happened next

Dave Caldwell
Tue 15 Dec 2020 05.00 EST

Next up in ESPN’s venerable 30 for 30 series is The Infinite Race, a documentary on a sports topic that hardly checks the biggest 30 for 30 box, in that the film does not involve a famous star athlete, sport or event. In fact, The Infinite Race kicks off with a simple story about an indigenous people’s joy of long-distance running.

The documentary explores what happens to these people, the Tarahumara, who live deep in the mountains of Chihuahua, Mexico, when their love of running, or even their calling to run, spills out to the rest of the world because of a popular book about running and an American known as Caballo Blanco, or the White Horse.

“It’s a story about resilience, survival and continuance,” Bernardo Ruiz, the veteran Mexican and American film-maker who directed The Infinite Race, tells the Guardian.

That the 50-mile Ultra Maratón Caballo Blanco, which The Infinite Race revolves around, will be held again next March in the rugged terrain of Chihuahua’s Copper Canyon is a testament to the event’s durability. Running won out, as it has for generations among the Tarahumara, but only after the event survived a culture clash that involved a lot of dollars and pesos, good and bad.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/dec/15/tarahumara-ultrarunning-mexico-documentary



Copper Canyon, Mexico



































Why dawdle?

[WhiteTara]

1. In the mid 50s, my parents bought a VW minivan

and took off for an adventure in Mexico in the Copper Canyon. They met the Taramahara who helped them cross so many impassable places on the roads. My father was one of those people who never met a stranger and could charm the pants off the cobra. So, they took my parents to their home in the mountains. Mother was the first white woman they had ever seen and the women spent a bit of time touching her hair and skin. In the 50s, they were barefoot runners and mom really marveled at that.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Omigosh. I'm in awe of your parents' experience. How totally rare.

That would be something to remember forever. What a priceless event.

I thought I saw a pair of barefeet in one of the photos, and dismissed it, thinking "the sandals are probably too small for me to see!"

The very idea of being completely barefoot in that terrain is stunning. Very unforgiving!

Your parents must have been very courageous to even contemplate challening that environment. No doubt a lot of people back then didn't make it back out. It's so treacherous, dangerous.

Your dad must have also had a communicative spirit that bridged the gap meeting people from remote areas, putting them at ease. There aren't too many people like that who can convey such positivity people overcome their natural self-protectiveness.

Any group which can sustain itself in those conditions is really strong!

[WhiteTara]

3. When they left

my mother had quit smoking for many years, when they came back, she smoked like a chimney! The people were very friendly and they never felt afraid except for the non-existent roads. I think my father may have greased the friendship wheels with whiskey!

Meanwhile, my sister and I stayed at my auntie's house and they let me eat olives for every meal. I was happy. My dad always wanted to go back. Apparently, he found a silver mine and met an aristocratic landowner and they had great plans. My mother squashed them. I always wondered what our lives would have been like if my mom weren't such a stay home person. We didn't go to Japan when my dad's assignment in Europe ended and mom wanted to come home. BooHoo.