The Longest Race: Inside the Secret World of Abuse, Doping, and Deception on Nike's Elite Running Team

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars | 1,567 ratings

Price: 16.4

Last update: 11-25-2024


About this item

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

In “one of the most important athlete memoirs of its generation” (Kate Fagan, #1 New York Times bestselling author), Olympian Kara Goucher reveals her experience of living through and speaking out about one of the biggest scandals in running.

Kara Goucher grew up with Olympic dreams. She excelled at running from a young age and was offered a Nike sponsorship deal when she graduated from college. Then in 2004, she was invited to join a secretive, lavishly funded new team, dubbed the Nike Oregon Project. Coached by distance running legend Alberto Salazar, it seemed like the opportunity of a lifetime.

Kara was soon winning a World Championship medal, going to the Olympics, and standing on the podium at the New York and Boston marathons, just like her coach had done. But behind the scenes, Salazar was hiding dark secrets. He pushed the limits of anti-doping rules and created what Kara experienced as a culture of abuse, the extent of which she reveals in her book for the first time. Meanwhile, Nike stood by Alberto for years and proved itself capable of shockingly misogynistic corporate practices.

The Longest Race is an unforgettable story that is “as interesting as it is important” (Molly Huddle, two-time Olympian) and also a crucial call to action. Kara became a crusader for female athletes and a key witness helping to get Salazar banned from coaching at the Olympic level. The Longest Race will leave you “motivated, empowered, and ready to take on the world” (Allyson Felix, Olympic gold medalist) as it reveals how Kara broke through the fear of losing everything, bucked powerful forces to take control of her life and career, and reclaimed her love of running.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.


Top reviews from the United States

avidreader9875
5.0 out of 5 stars Both triumphant and heart breaking
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2023
I have long been a Kara fan, taking up running myself during the time she was at the Oregon Project and following her career/life over the past 13 years. I obviously knew on a very basic level of what was covered in the book. That said, it was an enthralling read…well-written with an unflinching honesty where most people gloss over uncomfortable truths. It definitely gives a lot of insight to the professional running world, especially for women, and the degree to which certain things transpired that Kara had to face. The horribly toxic environment of the Oregon Project has come full circle, with as satisfying of an ending as you can have when narcissists go unchecked.

It is testament to Kara and Adam’s characters and the importance of those whom you surround yourself. Kudos to Kara and everyone who support her, Adam, and Colt in returning to herself and sharing the truth.

One additional note - I have tried to get back to reading since graduate school (if you know you know). I have a stack of TBR that is seriously two feet high. I read this in a day! Thank you Kara - reconnecting to your love of running helped me to rediscover my love of reading.
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Brave and candid.
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2024
This story brings to light the horrific experiences that plague women on all competitive playing fields. Kara is able to take you along on her journey, showing what it takes to compete at the highest levels and the consequences mentally and physically. A great read.
SummitSP850
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyment might depend on what you want from the book.
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2023
Quick, engaging read--I made time for this book and finished it in two days, even though I was quite busy when it arrived. As a woman and recreational athlete, in addition to being a fan of Kara Goucher (check out her podcast with Des Linden, "Nobody Asked Us with Des and Kara"), I was excited to read the book and looking forward to hearing Kara's perspective on her own life and experiences.

However, as simply a sports nerd, I have to admit that there is nothing new here. Since the fall of Lance Armstrong, various sources have provided the public with inside stories of the toxic environment and cultures existing within professional sports, particularly as that relates to women. Most of the events that Kara describes in this book were detailed in "Win at All Costs: Inside Nike Running and Its Culture of Deception" by Matt Hart, and in my opinion, Kara's version didn't really offer much beyond basic feminine insights you'd expect any woman facing these moments to have. There is one fairly new revelation that the book offers, but to me, it seemed as though the authors understood something new needed to be included to make the book relevant, and Kara understands relevance. They played that out until the end in a traditional fashion by moving away from it but always reminding readers it happened in tiny snippets, until there was finally a conclusion at the end.

It was a good read, and I am happy I read the book. But, to be honest, I wish I'd put myself on the waiting list for it at the library instead of purchasing it.
Joti Kumar
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and Heartbreaking
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2024
I grew up watching Kara Goucher. Idolizing her. I never knew that at the top of her game that she was battling so many dragons, actively trying to break her spirit. What she had been through and survived to bear witness to, is, I think, her reason for being on earth. She, and many women like her, are change agents in the sports arena.
This book, and running in general, is a metaphor for life. You work hard, do the right thing, and hopefully you prevail. I know Kara came out on top. This is a story about a modern day hero. Thank you for sharing your career and story with us, Kara.
Michael Steib
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential read
Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2024
What a book. I read it over one weekend and could not put it down. Kara is a brave women taking on the almighty Nike and their system, and her account is brutally honest and moving. As a passionate runner myself, I am happy that she came forward exposing this doping scandal, as did Michael Phelps in swimming and others. What is scary is how little changes, however. It seems that aside from Salazar, nobody at Nike suffered any consequences.
I also think Kara is an amazing NBC Olympics commentator. Super insightful and a joy to listen to. I wish her and her family all the very best.
Teamjoe10
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2024
Very quick read about Kara's journey. Highly recommend.
Nor
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible story!!!
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2023
I could not put this book down. An incredible story, and very well told. You will never look at Nike the same way again. I cannot believe that Goucher worked for Nike continuously while pregnant; they both marketed her pregnancy heavily and at the same time suspended her pay because she hand't run a race in several months...because she was pregnant. I can't believe Alberto Salazar is still in the track and field hall of fame, or the lengths Nike went to to try to protect him. I can't imagine how hard it was to have the details of one's sexual assault be available for the world to read about, but there are countless people out there reading these stories and taking enormous courage from them about their own story. Thank you Kara Goucher, for doing what you did.
Joel of SUP.PacificNorthwest
5.0 out of 5 stars The Longest Race by Kara Goucher with Mary Pilon
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2023
The media could not be loaded.
The book "The Longest Race" by Kara Goucher is an autobiographical account of Kara Goucher's career as a professional long-distance runner, including her training strategies, competition experiences, and personal reflections. It's easy to appreciate the honesty and transparency that Goucher brings to her writing, discussing both the highs and lows of her journey through the sport.

This book is engaging and includes inspiring storytelling, as well as its practical insights on training and mental preparation. I found the book to be relatable, even though I am not a professional runner.

Overall, "The Longest Race" is a recommended read for people interested in running, sports biographies, or personal development. The book offers an authentic and insightful look into the world of professional running, while still being accessible and relatable to a wide range of readers.

Total pages: 263
Customer image
Joel of SUP.PacificNorthwest
5.0 out of 5 stars The Longest Race by Kara Goucher with Mary Pilon
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2023
The book "The Longest Race" by Kara Goucher is an autobiographical account of Kara Goucher's career as a professional long-distance runner, including her training strategies, competition experiences, and personal reflections. It's easy to appreciate the honesty and transparency that Goucher brings to her writing, discussing both the highs and lows of her journey through the sport.

This book is engaging and includes inspiring storytelling, as well as its practical insights on training and mental preparation. I found the book to be relatable, even though I am not a professional runner.

Overall, "The Longest Race" is a recommended read for people interested in running, sports biographies, or personal development. The book offers an authentic and insightful look into the world of professional running, while still being accessible and relatable to a wide range of readers.

Total pages: 263
Images in this review
Customer image Customer image Customer image

Best Sellers in

 
 

Shut Up and Run: How to Get Up, Lace Up, and Sweat with Swagger

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1380
22.29
 
 

Business Is About to Pick Up!: 50 Years of Wrestling in 50 Unforgettable Calls

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 78
17.46
 
 

The New York Game: Baseball and the Rise of a New City

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 243
21.66
 
 

The Last of His Kind: Clayton Kershaw and the Burden of Greatness

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 171
21.83
 
 

The TB12 Method: How to Achieve a Lifetime of Sustained Peak Performance

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 4680
13.12
 
 

Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 3904
21.25
 
 

Make Your Next Shot Your Best Shot: The Secret to Playing Great Golf

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 368
13.12
 
 

Seabiscuit: An American Legend

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 4461
17.72