Welcome back to the summer edition of the Running Anthropologist podcast, exploring the culture (and history) of running, and especially those who inspire us on the road, trails and in life!

Our featured running guest this month is Eric Eichinger, the author of The Final Race, a biography about Eric Liddell (film "Chariots of Fire", based upon his appearance in the 1924 Olympic Games). In this episode, we learn more about his most inspirational accomplishments that actually came after the Olympics. These life stories penned by Eichinger echo Liddell's unwavering commitment to his faith and compassion for both sport and others whom he loved and served.

Eric shares many more parallels with his own life and Liddell's in this 45 minute interview. Eric Eichinger also ran competitively: varsity track and field at his alma mater Michigan State University, before also serving in China for several years, like the Scottish Olympic champion Liddell. Also like Liddell, he worked in youth ministry and was drawn to seminary, and finally ordained into the office of the holy ministry (in 2006). Eric includes some glimpses into important breakthroughs in Christian theology, and some debates that still persist in today. What was the life of this introverted humble man, the world's fastest individual in his day who inspired millions roughly a century ago? Throughout Eric's new book and multiple projects available for exploration at his website, his voice of compassion shines, an affirmation of human dignity, especially for the marginalized; Relationships are the heart of God's living kingdom, and humans are made in His image -- first and foremost, to love.

The story in a nutshell: Olympian, missionary, and pastor Eric Liddell sacrificed comfort, fame & fortune, and ultimately his life to share this message with those in need in China for almost two decades. He was born and died in China, served there during tremendous social upheaval, during the depression and World War II, where he was a teacher, hospital administrator, coach of many sports, and in his final years an internment camp minister and forced resident due to the Japanese occupation of China. There’s much, much more to this story and to Eric’s journey in telling it in this episode! We hope you’ll join in our little movement by subscribing to the podcast and sharing it with others.

You can learn about all of Eric's projects on his website: www.ericeichinger.com

Follow us at @RunningAnthropologist on Facebook/Instagram, & visit our blog site for more information on this, and all past episodes! www.runninganthropologist.com