Running With Sherman is the newest publication from the best-selling author of Born to Run and is a heartwarming story about training a rescue donkey to run one of the most challenging races in America.
When Chris McDougall agreed to take in a donkey from an animal hoarder he thought it would be no harder than the rest of the adjustments he and his family had made after moving from Philadelphia to Pennsylvania Amish country in the US.
But when the donkey arrived Sherman was in such bad shape he could barely move and his hair was coming out in clumps.
McDougall decided to undertake a radical rehab program designed not only to heal Sherman’s body but to heal his mind as well and it turns out that the best way to soothe a donkey is to give it a job.
It was then decided McDougall would teach Sherman how to run and then entered the two of them in the World Championships in Colorado.
This is the story of Sherman’s training, as we read about McDougall having to recruit several other runners both human and equine, and call upon the wisdom of burro races, goat farmers, Amish running club members and a group of irrepressible female long-haul truckers.
Along the way McDougall shows us the life-changing power of animals, nature and community.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Published by Allen & Unwin
Released: Out now
RRP: $29.99
