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Writer, Poet and Runner Helen Mort trails a history of running, from prehistoric times to present day. Helen asks why we run, and finds out what running has meant through the ages. Helen looks at stories of running through the ages, to chart the development of humanity's relationship with running. She'll be finding out what role running played in societies through the ages, and how it has been represented in culture.

In the first episode, Helen examines the role of running in prehistoric times. What role did running play in life of early humans, and what kinds of running did they do? Did we evolve to sprint, or to run long distances, and why? How did people represent running in their culture, such as cave art? Helen finds out if cultures of running in different indigenous communities today, with traditions stretching back thousands of years, can tell us anything about humanity's approach to running.

Helen's route then leads to Ancient Greece, the site of some of the earliest known records of running as a sport. She relives the famous journey of the messenger Pheidippides to Athens, whose feat, and feet gave us the marathon.

Interviewees:
Dr Nathalie Hager, Lecturer in Art History, University of British Columbia
Prof Dan Lieberman, Evolutionary Biologist at Harvard University and author 'Excercised: The Science of Physical Activity, Rest and Health
Dustin Martin, Executive Director, Wings of America
Christopher McDougall, writer and author of 'Born to Run'
Andrea Marcolongo, Classicist and author of 'The Art of Running: Learning to Run Like a Greek'.
Roger Robinson, Runner, Historian and author of 'Running in Literature'.

Readings by Andi Bickers and Nuhazet Diaz Cano

Thanks to Dr Judith Swaddling

Producer: Sam Peach