Souvenir goes the distance with McDougall's Born to Run 2

Profile imprint Souvenir Press has snapped up Born to Run 2, the sequel to Christopher McDougall’s bestselling running bible. 

Managing director Andrew Franklin bought UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Richard Pine at Inkwell Management with Souvenir editorial director Cindy Chan managing the project in-house.

Born to Run was first published in 2009 and went on to sell more than 425,000 copies for Profile across all editions, according to the publisher. 

Born to Run 2: The Ultimate Training Guide is co-authored with expert coach Eric Orton and features advice and inspiring stories from runners, including those interviewed in the original book. It includes chapters on diet, jogging with your tribe – featuring dogs and baby buggies – finding the "perfect form" and barefoot running.

Chan said: "Born to Run inspired a generation of people to get outside and run, just for the sheer hell of it, without getting hung up on gear and rules. Chris and Eric have transplanted that pure joy to this training guide, combining Eric’s expert form tips with Chris’ heart-swelling stories, and a running philosophy that will lift you up and get you moving, step by step."

The book is accompanied by a 90-day "Run Free" training program which includes a downloadable app featuring workouts and how-to videos. The authors are also launching a new website, Born to Run World, which will connect like-minded runners around the world and alert them to upcoming events. 

"Born to Run 2 was really conceived more than 15 years ago, when I first began wondering why so many people like me couldn’t run without getting injured or discouraged," said McDougall. "Thanks to coach Eric Orton, I discovered there’s nothing wrong with us, but there’s plenty wrong with the way we’re taught to run. Eric opened my eyes to an ancestral approach that’s joyful, empowering and accessible to everyone. After years of proving to myself that it works, I’m happy to finally share the story behind the story: the practical tips and skills that transformed me, and made Born to Run possible."

Orton added: "Chris McDougall changes lives, so I am honored and thrilled to lend a partnership hand to his next dose of Born to Run inspiration. Chris’ prolific story telling coupled with a fun yet dynamic run program, will inspire any runner to faster, further... forever."

Born to Run 2: The Ultimate Training Guide will be published by Souvenir Press on 3rd November in audio and fully illustrated trade paperback at £19.99. The American edition will follow from Knopf on 6th December. The accompanying training programme app and website community will launch in November.