Tag: Running Films

THE COLORADO CRUSH: 63 Days of Endurance | Ultra Running Documentary | Friday Films

“Endurance athlete Robbie Balenger finds the limits of perseverance and self-discovery during an audacious, 63-day challenge called The Colorado Crush. He sets out to complete the 500-mile Colorado Trail, the Leadville race series, and all Colorado 14ers in just one summer. These three feats – each lifetime achievements of their own – push Robbie to his mental and physical edge over an epic journey.”

The video description itself tells you everything you need to know about the insane task that Balenger took on when he took the first step of his incredible summer journey. But it can’t prepare you for the trip you’re about to go on with him when you give this short documentary by Audacious a watch.

“Wow, that was so good I had to watch it twice! You’re an inspiration to me who also found running later in life at 30 and are proof that hard work pays off! I can’t wait to watch all your future successes and I wish you all the best,” wrote Kris Jones.

So settle down with coffee, tea, or an electrolyte drink (hey, it’s getting hot), put your legs up for once, and let Balenger inspire your next run. After all, as Steven Seighman wrote, Balenger’s feat is “So inspiring! Robbie continues to show up and remind us that we can go beyond the limits we set for ourselves.”

by Pina Marek

Eric Sense(less)man & His Cocodona 250 Journey by Dylan Harris | Friday Films

If there is only one ultrarunning documentary you’re gonna watch in your lifetime, this one by Dylan Harris would be a fine choice for that one-of.

Here is a story of human perserverance in one of its simplest forms. Keep going even when you think you can’t. Lose yourself to find your limits, then go beyond, senseless, to find a new, truer version of you.

“This film contains so much artistry, thoughtfulness and fine-tuned story-telling. It is exquisite. I can only imagine the amount of editing that went into this. Incredible job, Dylan Harris. And thank you to the one-of-a-kind Eric Senseman for allowing this journey to be shared. Beautiful,” wrote Jec Ballou. And he is right.

This is a story of Eric Senseman’s 2022 Cocodona 250 race. While Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy was the first to cross the finish line that year, Senseman embraced his own reasons for ever starting to run: “… I became engrossed with running, in part, because it made me feel like a kid,” he wrote in his piece for the rabbit blog. It’s beautiful to see him cover the miles with an attitude like no other—and it must have been even more inspiring to witness this in person.

“… what really stuck out to me was the relationship between Eric and his wife! I’ve seen so many other runners sort of blow off their partner at aid points, but even when he’s hurting so bad he always gives her a hug and a kiss before taking off again,” wrote Emma Happy.

Watch Senseman’s journey in this film by Dylan Harris.

by Pina Marek

“What Brought You Here?” A Beautiful Exploration of Human Connection & the Bonds Running Provides

Take a deep breath, take it all in… What happens when a group of runners converge in the most remote town in Scotland? What happens when they take cold dips and run the surrounding hills together? A community is formed—a community of people who, so different yet so similar, develop the most beautiful human connections.

This short film is “an exploration of what motivates us to run, shining light on the importance of time spent amongst nature, no matter where you’ve come from. Based in the Highlands of Scotland, ‘What Brought You Here?’ follows a diverse group of participants as they journey throughout the Knoydart Peninsula and beyond, an adventure hosted by George Bauer and Aire Libre Running…”

by Pina Marek

Who is a Runner: Erin McGrady | A Short Film by Brooks x Camp4 Collective

Who is a Runner is a series by Brooks in collaboration with Camp4 Collective. Erin McGrady’s story is the last episode in this series that follows runners from around the U.S. and tells their stories. The question “who is a runner?” can be answered simply: everyone. How come? Because running, indeed, is for everyone.

What about Erin’s story?

“It takes the first 5-6 miles for the ‘bird’s nest’ in Erin McGrady’s head to unravel,” writes Camp4 Collective. “And then, putting one foot in front of the other, the photographer and writer works to create and celebrate safe spaces for others in the queer community. Together, with her wife Caroline Whatley, in spite all they are up against as queer women in the South, they turn their attention toward the joy they get from traveling and creating community.”

Erin’s story, told in less than 9 minutes, is one of courage, defiance, and victory. Who is a runner? Erin.

by Pina Marek

Inaugural Year: The Story of Cocodona 250 | Video

A film by Dylan Harris, Inaugural Year isn’t only about the story of the race itself but also (or perhaps mainly) about the stories of the people who spent days conquering the 250 miles long course.

On May 3, 2021, 176 runners toed the starting line of Cocodona 250, a brand new footrace that was to take them through true Old West towns as well as some really dark patches. A lot can and will happen during any ultra but 250 miles offer a lot more opportunities for things to go wrong (or right!) than your usual 50-miler, and this film portrays beautifully the runners’ struggle to get to the finish line, the highs and the lows and unpredictable ups and downs of such an event.

With interviews from Michael Versteeg, the winner of the inaugural Cocodona 250 and, therefore, the first person to ever finish the race, Pete Mortimer, who came in second, Maggie Guterl, the first female finisher, and other incredible athletes who took on the course, this short film is a beautiful portrayal of the race and well worth a watch.

If video embed doesn’t work on your device, click HERE to watch the film directly on YouTube.

by Pina Marek

Two of the Best Wonderland Trail FKT Films (Yes, this is a very subjective statement.)

I am a slow runner. This is not a complaint, and it’s not a critique. It’s just a plain statement of the truth. I can hold a 12-minute/mile pace for about 10 kilometers, and a 15-minute/mile pace for 20 miles, but that’s about it. After giving it absolutely everything, I was able to finish my first 50-mile race in just under 25 hours. Yes, I did spend roughly four hours in aid stations and getting my foot iced and taped so that I could keep moving, but still, this is SLOW.

And so it might come as a bit of a surprise that I do, in fact, enjoy seeing people chase FKTs (fastest known times), even though I know that nothing like that will ever be possible for me. (Well, unless I establish a route and keep my snail-paced FKT until someone comes to take a stroll and beats it.)

Today, I wanted to share with you two of my favourite FKT documentaries (oh wow, saying I’ve got a favourite FKT documentary feels like choosing a favourite child), both of them from the wonderful Wonderland Trail (most up-to-date FKTs can be found on this link).

The first Wonderland Trail FKT film I ever saw was about Gary Robbins who got his FKT in 2015, made by Ethan Newberry, also knows as The Ginger Runner. I re-watched it several times since. Gary is a beyond-inspiring runner (seriously, watch “Where Dreams Go to Die” to see what real grit is).

The second film I’m going to recommend today is also by Ethan Newberry, and follows Kaytlyn Gerbin, the current holder of the female supported FKT, and Dylan Bowman, who held the male supported FKT on the Wonderland Trail for just five days.

I hope you’ll enjoy these, I hope they’ll motivate you, and I’ll be back next week, hopefully back from the dead so I can tell you all about my Cool Moon 50-mile race which I haven’t recovered from yet. Just a little teaser: I totally got my money’s worth, having experienced it all; hallucinations, chafing, unstoppable nosebleed, nausea and throwing up, ridiculous heat, being stripped naked at an aid station to be brought back from the dead, and having to walk downhill backwards because legs gave up on me.

by Pina Marek