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21 Best Audiobooks to Listen to While Running
It’s time to go along with the new trend of listening to a good audiobook while you jog or training for a marathon. Find out the list of best audiobooks for running. These best books have been carefully chosen for running enthusiasts who are looking for the easiest ways to pass the time while doing long hours of running.
Whether you prefer to listen to popular songs, wrapped up in your own thoughts during long runs, it’s time to swap all those to audiobooks!
Running and listening to long audiobooks is a great way to make your miles seem shorter. It’s also one of the easiest way to help you get your mind away from running.
Listening to immersive books that will transport you to a captivating world will help you stay fit and be consistent with your running regime.
I have carefully curated the list of best audiobooks for running so that you don’t have to. From binge-worthy fiction audiobooks to inspiring self-help books for running enthusiasts, you’ve got hours worth of audiobooks to listen to while running.
If you ask me, one of my favorite genres of audiobooks to listen to while jogging or running is fantasy fiction. The epic scale of a good fantasy audiobook makes you engaged throughout your long run. So as someone who struggles to keep my mind away from checking the time while running, listening to audiobooks has been a game changer.
Whether you want to listen to romance audiobooks or nonfiction audiobooks, this list of the best audiobooks for running is perfectly suited for any type of runner.
Let these audiobooks help you to break bad habits, come out of your comfort zone, and thrive early morning or late night runs.
You can borrow these audio versions of these great reads from your local library or get the Audible free trial to listen to.
Popular Fiction Audiobooks To Listen While Running.
Explore riveting fiction audiobooks for runners. Listening to compelling stories can help both beginner and experienced runners to beat the exhaustion.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. Rowling
J. K Rowling’s popular novel needs no introduction.
We all know the story of an orphan boy who learns on his birthday that he is a wizard and that he has been invited to join the Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry.
Now the reason why I think Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is a great audiobook to listen to while running is that it’s a familiar story that you will totally enjoy. It’s a fast-paced book filled with action and adventure. And the best part, it’s a book about magic. Who wouldn’t want to escape to the world of a fantasy universe filled with mystical creatures, bewitching spells and magical school for a few hours. Also narrator Stephen Fry does an incredible job of bringing the characters to life.
So the fantastic story and Fry’s narration will leave you in a feel-good vibe, make you forget the physical strain.
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Song of Ice and Fire series byGeorge R. R. Martin
If you’re looking for audiobooks for your marathon training, Song of Ice and Fire is a clever choice.
The richly detailed tale of a medieval country’s civil war is engaging and unpredictable. As the series comprises several novels and some are still being written, listening to long audiobooks will definitely keep you busy for long distance running. Most people are familiar with the first book since the book has been turned into one of the best TV shows, so it makes it a comforting story as well.
Of course, I have to mention Roy Dotrice’s impeccable narrating skill, which captures the diverse cast of characters.
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Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Nail Gaiman’s Coraline is just under four hours, so it would make a great audiobook for joggers or for anyone who wants to get to listen to audiobooks while doing a short run.
However, I have to warn you though, it’s one of those stories that is short but extremely haunting. It’s the story of an 11-year old who is always curious about the world she lives in. So when her family moves to a new flat, she can’t help but explore her new home. Strange enough, she finds something remarkably spooky during her expedition.
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The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
Laura Dave’s fast-paced novel is a perfect audiobook for trail running. The story is gripping and exhilarating.
It centers around 40-year old Hannah Hall, whose husband goes missing under mysterious circumstances. As Hannah tries to track down the reason for her husband’s disappearance she learns out about his involvement with security fraud in his company. The book is about nine hours long but I can guarantee you that even if you have to run that long, you won’t feel exhausted.
You might be hooked to the audiobook so much so that you might lose track of time.
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The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
I know I have been including many fantasy novels in this list of audiobooks for long runs. It’s just that running is an intense activity, so choosing a story set in a rich and imaginative world can help you distract from the physical stress. So The Name of the Wind is yet another epic adventure that will hook you from the start. We follow the legendary wizard and warrior and his search for life’s purpose in the universe.
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The Wind In the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
There are some children’s audiobooks that I just can’t get enough. So I find myself listening to them while running or jogging.
The Wind In the Willows is one such audiobook. Kenneth Grahame’s charming tale is about Mole, Ratty, Badger, Toad and their escapades. The narrator Michael Hordern wonderfully brings the story to life by delivering witty dialogues and capturing English countryside through his narration. Because of which I always feel a sense of calm and relaxation even after a challenging run.
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The Alice Series by Christina Henry
If you really want to listen to fiction audiobooks for running, then The Alice Series is a brilliant choice.
Yes, another fantasy audiobook, but it’s one of the well-written, darkest and disturbing fantasy books. You might recognize the characters from the original Alice in Wonderland story, but it isn’t slightly similar in plot or writing. This horror-fantasy style setting is a perfect audiobook for runners, especially if you want to motivate yourself to run more miles.
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The Green Mile by Stephen King
You would have watched the movie already, but listening to this immersive audiobook is a whole new experience. The story of death row guard Paul Edgecombe’s and his encounter with an unusual inmate will keep you occupied during your long-distance running.
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Dune by Frank Herbert
The next audiobook for running enthusiasts falls under the sci-fi genre. This complex narrative is set 20,000 years in the future. It’s the story of young Paul Atreides and his family. And I don’t want to give away too much because there is so much you have to explore yourself. Addictive plot, beautiful world-building, I don’t think you would need any more reason to go for endurance runs.
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Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
This Audie winner was absolutely amazing. Nothing to See Here centers around two troubled children who instantly combust when upset or annoyed. And they are in need of a guardian. Enter Lilian, their step mother’s childhood friend who is their new caretaker. Marin Ireland, one of the best audiobook narrators, has done a masterful performance that enhances the depth and emotional influence of this unconventional story of family and parental affection.
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The Martian by Andy Weir
Another gripping audiobook to listen to while running. This is a fascinating account of astronaut Mark Watney and his clever ingenuity in finding ways to try not to die on Mars. It’s a hard sci-fi fiction, you won’t be a tad bit bored of the story nor the writing. Also, if you struggle to incorporate running in your daily routine, listening to Watney’s determination and willpower may influence you to challenge yourself and run even more.
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The Long Run by James Acker
As this post is all about popular fictional audiobooks to listen to while running, I couldn’t skip a young adult love story of two high school athletes. In The Long Run we follow Sebastian, a top sprinter who is unsure about his reputation and Sandro, a middle child who wants to get away from the family chaos. Listening to this cute coming-of-age story will help you release the feel-good chemicals that will boost your energy.
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Non fiction Audiobooks for Running
Whether you’re in mood for inspirational running memoirs or audiobooks for ultra runners there are many non fiction audiobook suggestions to listen while you run.
Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
This is an inspirational audiobook that uncovers the secrets of worlds’ greatest distance runners and provides practical advice for you.
Born to Run takes readers to the lives of Indians and how they developed an insane ability to run long distances without rest or injury.
The thrilling journey from Harvard labs to the mountains of North America is indeed a motivating account for all runners.
The fascinating details about the hidden tribe Tarahumara’s incredible endurance and gives great insight for anyone who wants to turn running into an enjoyable activity or even friendly competition.
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Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Probably you know Amy Poehler from Saturday Night Live, even if you didn’t, you would absolutely enjoy listening to this fun memoir during your intense marathon practice.
Essentially Yes, Please is a raw and honest account of Poehler’s life as a comedian and actress along with personal anecdotes and essays and a bit of not-so- series life lessons.
Listening to the book makes you feel like having a conversation with a long time friend.
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Ultramarathon Man by Dean Karnazes
Here is a audiobook suggestion for ultrarunners.
Dean Karnazes is surely a familiar name among running enthusiasts.
The ultrarunning legend has some great records in his name including eating an entire pizza while running. So there is no doubt that you’re going to love listening to his memoir.
He spills the beans about his motivation and methods along with diet and training regimen. And unlike other sports- memoir, Karnazes infused the book with comical elements.
So whether you’re a runner or not, listening to Ultramarathon Man can actually motivate you to push beyond the limits in life and embrace the bigger challenge and perform the greatest race in your life.
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I’d Like to Play Alone, Please by Tom Segura
The next audiobook in the list is extremely funny and thought provoking. Stand-up comedian Tom Segura has always been busy in life. So he decides to take some time off and hit the road, opening doors to new experiences and encounters. And that’s exactly what he shares in this book. And the best part is he narrates the book himself, so there is no question that you’re going to love this one. To some extent, listening to his tales can make you appreciate the time you dedicate to running.
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Shoedog by Phil Knight
You are probably a fan of the sports brand Nike, and even wear a pair of their sneakers while you jog but have you ever wondered how it all started? Listening to this moving memoir by co-founder Phil Knight, will tell you how Nike became one of the world’s most iconic brands. Bill Gates described the book as “A refreshing honest reminder of what the path to business success really looks like”. An epic inspirational audiobook about faith, failure and unparalleled determination is worth your time.
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Let your Mind Run by Deena Kastor
Listen to this audiobook to uncover the secrets of the successful athlete.
Long-distance runner Deena Kastor explains that the key to success is building a strong mindset. She depicts how the frustration and negativity had almost affected her in early days. And later on, how she had become America’s first Olympic medalist in the marathon in twenty years. Whether you’re a passionate runner or going to train for your first marathon, Let your Mind Run is an audiobook for running motivation that can also help you with many aspects of your life.
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Running with the Mind of Meditation Sakyong Mipham
This audiobook suggestion is for all fitness enthusiasts.
Tibetan Bhuddhist Sakyong Mipham shares a profound lesson about combining spiritual practice and running.
As a trained martial artist and runner, Mipham believes in the important thing that spiritual well-being can open a whole new world for everyone including athletes. So in the audiobook he shares his views of integrating internal practice with physical movement.
Lessons are short and easy to follow so it’s a great option if you’re tired of music or podcasts.
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What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
Now this is another audiobook that describes the connection between physical and mental activities. Haruki Murakami is a celebrated writer around the world. But this is the first book that I have read of him. Murakami is often praised for his neat and poetic fiction writing style, which unsurprisingly reflects on his memoir as well. Even though I am not someone who has a passion for marathons or triathlons , I was engrossed in the book from the very first chapter.
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26 Marathons by Meb Keflezighi and Scott Douglas
Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi has run 25 marathons in his career. He is also the first person ever to win both the Boston and New York City marathon and the Olympics. So you know his book is going to be one of the inspirational audiobooks for marathon training. Listening to his nuggets of wisdom is going to change your life. Meb offers great practical tips for runners of all levels and advice on living a fulfilling life.
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Finding Ultra by Rich Roll
If you think that it’s too late to start something for the first time in life, listening to this great book is going to be an eye opener for you.
Rich Roll was 40 when he realized it’s time to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Because of daily training and healthy food choices, he rapidly transitioned from a couch potato to a high performing fitness enthusiast. Listening to this inspiring audiobook while running can encourage you to shift the mindset and embark on a journey of wellness and self-discovery.
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Endure by Alex Hutchinson
This is going to be more of an academic style audiobook in the list, that presents the science behind human fatigue. The good news is that if you’re really into the aspects of muscle function, sports nutrition, brain control, you’ll definitely enjoy the book.
The long-time columnist of Runner’s World, Alex Hutchinson sheds light on understanding human endurance through science. You can find all the questions regarding a person’s physical limitations. Things like how far, high or fast a person can go and what exactly is the limit to all those activities etc.
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Eat and Run by Scott Jurek
Yet another uplifting and moving memoir audiobook of an ultramarathon champion. Scott Jurek talks about his journey to becoming an ultramarathoner while being on a vegan diet. He gives an in-depth description of his training and diet regimen that helped him carve a name for himself in the sport for nearly two decades. From his Midwestern childhood hobbies of hunting, fishing, and cooking to his slow-transition to ultrarunning and plant- based diet, Eat and Run is a must-listen for both runners and food lovers.
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So if you’re a fan of listening to good audiobooks while running, I hope you’ve found some great books that
Let me know whether you want me to add any other books to the list.
Stephy
You’ll love these audiobook posts as well !
Stephy George
