The second program chosen by Bob Kuck is: The Tarahumara – A Hidden Tribe of Superathletes Born to Run

Please read the following message from Bob explaining this weeks fascinating program.

“Linda and I worked with the Tarahumara Indians in Mexico from 1997 until five years ago when drug cartel activity in the mountains restricted travel to remote communities. That danger has not abated and those continuing to work among them are real heros who take their life in their hands. The Tarahumara are fascinating people who live in extremely remote caves, adobe or log cabins. They are also known to be great long distance runners.”

“I have been in touch with Mote Marine in Sarasota. Mote is a world renowned marine research center.  I explained our online club to them and asked if they had any ‘canned’ programs that would work for us.  I received a call from their staff who were intrigued with what we are doing.  They will consider producing a program for Rotary and get back to me with some thoughts.  I have told them if they are willing to produce something for Rotary we would try to get it viewed more widely than just our club…possibly sharing it with other online Rotary clubs looking for programs.  Mote research in fresh and saltwater estuaries is important to all of us who depend upon lakes, rivers, and oceans for our food.  I don’t know when a Mote program will be available but I will let you know so it can be advertised and promoted properly among our club members and beyond.”

-Bob Kuck

The Tarahumara – A Hidden Tribe of Superathletes Born to Run

Nestled in northern Mexico and the canyons of the Sierra Madre Occidental is a small tribe of indigenous people known as the Tarahumara. They call themselves Rarámuri, loosely translated as “running people,” “foot-runner,” “swift of foot,” or “he who walks well.” They are known for evading the Spanish conquerors in the sixteenth century and keeping their cave-dwelling culture alive and secluded. They are also known for their long distance running and their superior health, not displaying the common health issues of “modern” societies.

A recent National Geographic study (Nov. 2008) states: “When it comes to the top 10 health risks facing American men, the Tarahumara are practically immortal: Their incidence rate is at or near zero in just about every category, including diabetes, vascular disease, and colorectal cancer…Plus, their supernatural invulnerability isn’t just limited to their bodies; the Tarahumara have mastered the secret of happiness as well, living as benignly as bodhisattvas in a world free of theft, murder, suicide, and cruelty.”

So what is the Tarahumara story and what can we learn from them? How can we use their history as an example for our own primal living? For some they may not be an example of what is considered primal, but they are one of the closest we can find in today’s world.