Running in Samoa in 2016
A little while ago I posted about the top five books about running that changed my life, so I thought it would be interesting to get my top five movies about running. There is a mixed back in the list below, so I would be interested to hear your thoughts.
So in no specific order, here they are:
Image Source IMDB
1. Run, Fatboy, Run
Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425413/
Run the race, win the girl back. That's kinda how this story goes. Dennis, played by Simon Pegg, is out of shape and struggling to keep in touch with his child and ex girlfriend after she decides to move to the USA with her new boyfriend.
Why I Love It
This shows the story of someone who absolutely hates running or exercise, to transform into someone who almost enjoys running. Without giving the ending away, he even has a turn at leading the early stages of the London Marathon.
2. The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young
Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2400291/
This movie documentary follows one of the recent runnings of the Barkley Marathon, and gives you the history behind how the race was created and why it has such an infamous reputation.
Why I Love It
This race looks terrible, participants struggle to make it even half way through the race and you won't understand how people have been able to even enter the race. Having said that, you may be tempted to run it, or at least take on an ultra marathon some time soon.
Image Source IMDB
3. Gallipoli
Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082432/
Not sure if this movie was at all famous out of Australia and New Zealand but is one of Mel Gibson's first movie before he went a little crazy. It tells the story of two young men, originally running the "Stawell Gift", Australia's greatest sprinting running races, it follows them as they face the brutal realities of war when they are sent to fight in the Gallipoli campaign in Turkey during World War I.
Why I Love It
It's great Australian Cinema, but even it you only have time to watch the opening scenes which has the following first lines:
Jack: What are your legs?
Archy Hamilton: Springs. Steel springs.
Jack: What are they going to do?
Archy Hamilton: Hurl me down the track.
Jack: How fast can you run?
Archy Hamilton: As fast as a leopard.
Jack: How fast are you going to run?
Archy Hamilton: As fast as a leopard!
Jack: Then let's see you do it!
4. Chariots of Fire
Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082158/
Chariots of Fire tells the story of two British track athletes, one a determined Jew, and the other a devout Christian, in their quest to compete at the 1924 Olympics.
Why I Love It
It's a great movie in its own right, without the fact that it is about running and the Olympics. And if you haven't dreamed of running on the beach to the theme song of this movie, you haven't lived.
Image Source IMDB
5. Finding Traction
Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3956712/
Finding Traction is documentary following ultra runner Nikki Kimball as she attempts to become the fastest person in history to run America's oldest hiking trail as she tries to take on the 273 mile trail in under 5 days.
Why I Love It
A few reasons, it's a great insight into ultra running, seeing exactly what she goes through to run the trail, including her eating and rest stops. After a few days with no real sleep, is where the drama really start as Nikki fights to stay on track. It also gives a good insight into how she uses running to deal with her depression.
