When Christopher McDougall’s new book, Running with Sherman, arrived in my mailbox, I was excited and intrigued for two reasons: one, I loved his 2009 best-seller, Born to Run, and, two, there was a photo of a donkey (Sherman) on the dust jacket. I had no idea what the book was about but figured anything written by McDougall — and starring a donkey —would be a good read.
I was not disappointed. Running with Sherman is an absorbing tale about rehabilitating an abused miniature donkey by training for Colorado’s annual World Championship Pack Burro Race, a 26-mile trek for human and donkey.
Blessed with a sharp wit and an aptitude for scene setting, McDougall recounts an amazing journey that takes place on their small farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and begins with Sherman’s arrival. McDougall and his wife, Mika McDougall, agree to let the wee donkey live with them at the behest of their neighbor, Wes, who was looking to relocate a hoarder's abused animals, and pleas from their daughters.