Running in Tarahumara (Rarámuri) Culture : Persistence Hunting, Footracing, Dancing, Work, and the Fallacy of the Athletic Savage. Current Anthropology, Vol 61, No 3

​In this article, Lieberman et al. evaluate and demystify claims about why the Tarahumara excel at endurance running and aim to document their running traditions before they are lost. The authors avoid stereotyping and demonstrate how critical reflection on cultural roots, biological contexts, and the physical environment (for walking, running, and other endurance practices) can help safeguard cultural heritage. In her comment, Willems reflects on both the San and the Tarahumara running traditions, advocating for more attention to ensuring benefits and robust livelihoods for artisans and local communities, especially in the context of globalization and the threat of exploitation.