The B2R movement began with Eric Swartz, an Ironman triathlete, runner, and entrepreneur, from Atlanta, Georgia. Swartz suffered multiple injuries while training that kept him away from the sports he loved. When Swartz read Christopher McDougall’s best-selling book Born to Run, he realized the cause of his injuries and he wanted to make it right. Swartz was inspired by the Tarahumara’s ability to
maneuver the terrain in Mexico’s Copper Canyons wearing nothing but tire treads strapped to their feet. He was also intrigued by the “special sauce” that allowed McDougall to journey 50 miles into Mexico’s Copper Canyon. Eric Orton is the Born to Run Coach living in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He operates on a simple premise: the best runners are the best athletes. When overweight, injured writer, Chris McDougall called, he knew what to do. And the book, Born to Run, was made possible. Later, when Swartz requested the “special sauce”, Orton again knew what to do, and B2R emerged. Like all “special sauces”, there is no one ingredient - there are many, properly mixed. Orton relies on his knowledge about run and strength training, run technique, and nutrition to coach athletes to their personal finish lines. The runner provides that essential element necessary to make big leaps forward in performance: believing that it is possible. The journey that culminated in the Copper Canyon started a new, worldwide, natural running movement. Born to Run redefined running and the shoe industry. Swartz’s journey to Wyoming marked the beginning of B2R. The idea was to make a shoe, but to never forget that running is more than a shoe. Ultimate running is training, technique, proper nutrition, and the right shoe. The B2R system embraces all four of these elements. Eric and The B2R team researched, designed and ran in prototype after prototype until the shoe was right. The final version exuded what Orton recognized in the Tarahumara runner: ultimate performance. The right shoe, B2R’s shoe, redefines normal. In addition to the right shoe, the B2R training system is a proven combination of Footwear, Strength Training, Run Programs, and Nutrition. The system is dedicated to the proposition that with the proper run training and footwear, everyone can boost their performance and experience the joy of running. B2R’s approach to minimalist running is natural and holistic, allowing runners to get back in touch with running’s primitive history. The B2R system is designed to give runners the tools they need to run strong and healthy; and to reach and exceed their goals. The synergy of B2R is built on the foundation that we are indeed born to run. Let the B2R movement redefine you. Run well, eat well, and be well. Join us and leave a whole new impression.