'Born to Run' is a very good read, almost an American equivalent of 'Feet in the Clouds', by Richard Askwith.  Both written by journalists, both looking to improve their running ability but in the process, caught up in and 'converted' to, the community of runners they found themselves amongst.

Both in the book and in his talk, the author (CM) emphasised the inclusiveness and comaraderie of the Tarahumara tribe in Mexico, who run huge distances in their unspoilt environment of the Copper Canyons.  He compared his experience amongst these barefoot runners to that of his marathon days, where it was all about times, spilts, results and race placings.

As a Southerner who converted to fell running 14 years ago when I moved up to the Peak District, I realised this inclusive community CM described is exactly that of fell running, where it doesn't matter who you are, how much you earn or where you're from - it's all about being out there and letting your feet do the talking.  And if you lose your shoe in the mud, they'll be plenty of other runners willing to dig about in the bogs to help fish it out!  The competitiveness is not necessarily about beating someone, it's about facing your own challenges and achieving them.  It's about getting on and doing it, not shouting about it (Think Joss Naylor). 

When Andrew won the Iditasport 1,100 mile race in Alaska, there was no offical finish line, no prize, not even a T-shirt or medal (just a few drunken Alaskans weaving around).  He was joint 1st in a race where only four competitors finished.  He and an Alaskan had cycled together in atrocious conditions over the last 100 miles or so - it would have been churlish to try to outsprint the other at the end.  This was a journey that brought them together and it was appropriate to finish together. 

This is the type of inclusiveness and support I see time and again in off road/fell events, especially in ultra distance races.  Ultra running invariably entails highs and lows, it strips your emotions bare, and to take a quote from 'Feet in the Clouds', "you realise the person you were is no match for the one you really are".  In life, we learn to endure, to have patience and hopefully overcome those fears to achieve something that ultimately makes us more human.  It's no wonder that you see runners at an age most people would describe as geriatrics, competing at a high level.

The main thrust of CM's talk - and his book - is about barefoot running.  Most fell runners wear a lightweight, responsive shoe that lets them feel the ground.  The only difference in the past 10 years or so, is the emergence of corporate shoe companies promoting fell shoes with more cushioning and more gizmos...

Whether you agree or not with the concept of barefoot running (and as a former employee of adidas and now a sports injury specialist, I can see the benefits if introduced slowly), it's about getting back to basics, improving your form and listening to your body.  And, like the Tarahumara who always run with a smile on their face, it should ultimately be about having fun...