Top 10 best books for runners of all time

Reading is always an excellent way to wind down after a long day or gather some knowledge. Whether you’re preparing for a marathon or looking for inspiration and just can’t choose from hundreds of training books for runners, look no further.

We gathered some of the best running books ever created, that sure will cover your needs.

Running books every runner should read

Why does my foot hurt? This question impelled Injury-plagued runner and journalist Christopher McDougall to go on a great adventure to find a tribe of the world’s greatest distance runners and learn their secrets. He embedded with Mexico’s Tarahumara Indians, who can run hundreds of miles at a time, barefoot – without getting hurt, to uncover the secrets of their techniques. He also discovers his own inner ultra-athlete as he practices for a fifty-mile race through the Copper Canyon.

Born to Run is that kind of a book that not only entertains you but also provides a great much of new information. McDougall crafts a riveting investigation into the science and art of running—a one-of-a-kind account any runner or reader will appreciate.

Advanced Marathoning takes a peek at every critical factor of your running success, like nutrition, planning your strategy, which type of running and non-running training you should choose.

This book provides you with 3 training plans for 12, 18, or 24 weeks, backed by scientific principles. These training schedules will have you racing at peak speed, whether you're targeting one race or several during the season.

Running, like any other sport has its rules. You can visit USATF and find detailed information on everything from disqualification to bib-number placement to the caliber of the starter's pistol.

But this book isn’t about it. It is about those everyday rules of running that “every seasoned runner seems to know and every newbie needs to learn”. Editors of Runner’s World magazine spread the running culture with humor, so you can find here a definition of a farmer’s blow (process by which one clears a nostril of mucus by pinching shut the opposing nostril and exhaling forcefully) and that you should do whatever it takes to finish ahead of a costumed runner.

This part memoir, part training guide takes us on a journey from Tokyo's Jingu Gaien gardens, where Murakami shared the course with an Olympian, to the Charles River in Boston, where young women outpaced him.

The eureka moment when he decided to become a writer, his greatest triumphs, and disappointments. Murakami merges a panorama of memories and insights of his healthy hobby creating one of the most significant inspirational running books ever.

There are many marathon running books, but nothing like this one. It is a memoir of Kathrine Switzer – first woman to run the Boston Marathon, where she was attacked by one of the race officials. She fought back and finished the race, and thus changed a regard to women in sports once and for all.

From the childhood events that inspired her to winning the New York City Marathon in 1974, this liberally illustrated book details the struggles and achievements of a pioneering woman in sports.

Another great marathon training book, presented by the coaches of Hansons-Brooks Distance project, that turned many runners into marathon winners and even Olympians. It provides you with two training programs, beginner and advanced. Both feature the unique Hansons 16-mile long run which, as part of the Hansons program, is ideal for preparing the body for the marathon.

This book teaches how to make your marathon plan, and everything you need to know to prepare for the race. Though it also describes the basic stuff of nutrition and training, the program may be a little hard for beginners.

After reading this book you will surely be confident in building your next marathon plan.

This book follows the University of Colorado cross-country team from the late summer practices to an unforgettable NCAA championship of 1998. It is a chronicle, detailing every day in the life of the team. With passion and suspense, Lear captures the lives of these young men and offers a glimpse of what drives a gifted runner like Adam Goucher.

Lear also describes training methods of Mark Wetmore – one of the country's most renowned and controversial coaches, which tactics include heavy mileage and are disputed by many coaches. But they state the truth: if you’re going to win, you must work hard.

Among hundreds of preparatory books, that provide any possible kind of training program for any kind of runners, this book really stands out. It is a first ever complete guide for middle and long distance runs for youth and children.

It provides the proven formula of Mick Grant, which produced National Champions several years in a row. The program uses a fun first approach, making sure the athletes enjoy what they are doing and stay healthy, to allow consistent training.

This running book for kids is a must-read for parents and trainers too, as it covers every topic imaginable for the youth and teen middle/distance runner.

Renowned running coach Budd Coates presents a revolutionary yet simple training method based on rhythmic breathing to help runners at all experience levels improve their performance, prevent injury, and experience the joy of running.

Running technique in this book is aimed to create a rhythmic breathing, which increases lung volume; improves awareness and control; helps prevent injury and side stitches; improves running for those with asthma; allows runners to quickly set a pace for quality training and racing, and helps athletes manage muscle cramps.