For those of you who have not come across it before Ted is a non profit organisation devoted to spreading ideas in the form of short presentations of 18 minutes or less. It dates back to 1984 and the first ‘Technology, Entertainment and Design Conference’ in California but has now spread world-wide and can be accessed on the internet. The talks cover every subject imaginable. We have chosen our favourite talks about running but would encourage you to explore further afield for information, motivation and inspiration. There are some amazing people with amazing ideas out there!

Are We Born to Run. Christopher McDougall

Many of you will already have come across Christopher McDougall and his book ‘Born to Run’. McDougall, a runner himself, has spent a number of years researching the Tarahumara Indians, a society who live in Mexico’s Copper Canyons and run long distances in their daily lives. In this talk he explores the human desire to run and its place in evolutionary times and illustrates it with tales from both the Tarahumara and modern runners. His take on the connection between cushioned running shoes and running injuries has been very influential.

It’s Not How Fast You Go. It’s How You Cross the Finish Line.  Charlie Dark

Charlie Dark is a DJ, poet and founder of Run Dem Crew – a running group promoting well being through running and talking together. He is very engaging and his Ted talk will appeal especially to younger runners (and those of us who refuse to grow old) when he insists that running doesn’t have to be separate from the rest of your life and can involve music, fashion and other people. We particularly like his sentiment that  ‘Cheering a marathon is encouraging others to be great’.

Are Athletes Really Getting Faster, Better, Stronger? David Epstein

David Epstein is a writer and the author of ‘The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance’. His Ted talk addresses the Olympic motto ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger’ and questions whether athletes are really getting better over time. Very interesting in the light of Kipchoge’s recent world record and the whole ‘Breaking 2’ movement.

Making Peace is a Marathon May El-Khalil

May El-Khalil is the founder of the Beiruit International Marathon. This is her very moving story about how, after a serious accident prevented her from running, she attempted to bring a bitterly divided nation together – even for one day a year – to run a marathon.

Never, Ever Give Up. Diana Nyad

Ok, so not strictly about running, well actually not about running at all but just wanted everyone to read this. Diana Nyad is an ultra-swimmer. This is her inspirational story about her attempts to swim the 100 miles of dangerous jelly-fish and shark infested waters from Cuba to Florida……(spoiler alert) and how she finally realised her life time goal aged 64 years! Be amazed!