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Lead Stories: Friday, July 18, 2008

Runners Needed for Record-Breaking Documentary

Posted April 8th, 2008 at 2:05 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Motivation, Movies

This June, Running the Sahara’s Charlie Engle and Marshall Ulrich are going to set off on their record-breaking run from San Francisco to New York. Their journey will be filmed and crafted into a historical documentary entitled Running America. NEHST is currently casting runners to join these athletes as they make history and raise money toward the water crisis in Africa.

If casted, you are only allowed to run one mile with Charlie and Marshall, but you can drop back and continue to run if you’d like. Anyone is eligible for submissions, no matter how young, old, disabled or experienced you may be. This is a great opportunity to be in front of cameras, meet some celebrities and be a part of history. To register for your chance to be a part of history, visit screentest.biz.

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In addition, click here to listen to TheFinalSprint.com’s podcast interview with Charlie after his 2007 run through the Sahara Desert!

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Second Showing of “Spirit of the Marathon” Feb. 21

Posted February 7th, 2008 at 7:00 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Motivation, Movies

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TFS Podcast 121: Jon Dunham Director and Producer of “Spirit of the Marathon”

Posted January 23rd, 2008 at 6:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Motivation, Movies, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

In Episode 121 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast I had the pleasure of being joined by Jon Dunham; Director/Producer of the running documentary “Spirit of the Marathon”.

The feature-length film, which will be shown at select theatres around the country tomorrow evening, January 24 at 7:30pm, is the first ever non-fiction feature film to capture the drama and essence of the famed 26.2 mile running event. Filmed on four continents, the movie brings together a diverse cast of amateur athletes and marathon luminaries. The past and present running legends showcased in the film include: Paula Radcliffe, Bill Rodgers, Grete Waitz, Frank Shorter, Deena Kastor and Kathrine Switzer.

Download the podcast to hear Jon discuss the concept and purpose behind the film, his personal love and admiration for running and specially the marathon, what it was like to work with some of the sport’s greatest heroes, the potential for a related, spin-off documentary about the history of the marathon, and much more!

Listen In
[PLAY] (To Download: Right click and select “save as”)

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Host: Adam Jacobs | Guest: Jon Dunham
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Musicians: Ryan Ahlwardt, Darnell Perkins
File Size: 13.2 MB | Length: 19:18 MIN

Episode Sponsored By: Nike +

Long Live Running!
Nike Plus will improve the way you run. Get feedback from your iPod on pace, time, distance and calories burned.

Log into Nikeplus.com to track your progress,
set goals and challenge friends.

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Grand Rapids Marathon Registration Opens Tomorrow Evening at Running Documentary Premier

Posted January 23rd, 2008 at 10:00 AM by Allyson Rosen

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Motivation, Movies

Marathon enthusiasts across the country will have a chance tomorrow night to watch a special one-night, “big-screen” viewing of a documentary that embraces their beloved sport. “Spirit of the Marathon” is the collaborative effort of three-time Academy Award winner Mark Jonathan Harris, Telly Award winner and marathon runner Jon Dunham, and producer/marathoner Gwendolen Twist. Four years in the making, “Spirit of the Marathon” is the first ever non-fiction feature film to capture the drama and essence of the famed 26.2 mile running event.

In addition, and to the further delight of Michigan’s running community, race organizers for the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon have decided to kick off registration for this event in conjunction with the “Spirit of the Marathon” premier. A special booth will be set-up at Celebration Cinema North, the local Grand Rapids, MI theater offering the one-night showing, beginning at 6pm tomorrow evening, January 24. They will also be offering $5.00 off registration and free popcorn to those planning on running the October 19 event.
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Movie Review: “Showdown”
Five Elite Distance Runners, One Dream

Posted August 22nd, 2007 at 2:35 PM by Lara Johnson

Section: Motivation, Movies, Special Features, TFS Reviews

I have long been intrigued and inspired by those runners who compose the elite category. What is it they possess? What is their training like? What is their motivation? And what happens when these top athletes compete in one grueling race?

In his new film, “Showdown: Five Elite Distance Runners, One Dream,” creator Peter Han uncovers some of these mysteries as he takes viewers on a journey from the living rooms and training runs of 5 elite distance runners to the finish line of the 2007 U.S. Cross Country Championships in Boulder, Colorado.

“Showdown” is a documentary-style film with cinematic appeal. Through personal interviews, race clips, photos, and commentaries, it narrates the preparations of 5 elite men of differing backgrounds: 2-time Olympian Abdi Abdirahman, 2-time Olympian Alan Culpepper, Olympic silver-medalist Meb Keflezighi, high school and university level champion Dathan Ritzenhein, and 10,000 meter champion Jorge Torres.
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Pisorius sets new WR; Tom Hanks reportedly set to bid on rights to his life story

Posted March 14th, 2007 at 3:15 PM by Martin Kennedy

Section: News & Results, Motivation, Success Stories, Track & Field, Columns, SPOTLIGHT

Oscar Pistorius, the elite South African amputee runner, is now a step closer to becoming the first amputee and/or physically handicapped-runner to qualify for the able-bodied Olympics.

Last Friday, Oscar set a new P.R. and broke his own 400m Paralympic world record (47:34) with a time of 46 seconds flat at the Yellow Pages Track and Field series meet. If Oscar is able to run the 400m about a second faster, he should be able to qualify for South Africa’s Olympic team.

Two days later, The Times reported that Tom Hanks, who won an Oscar for his leading role in Forrest Gump, will bid on the rights to Oscar’s incredible life story with the intention of producing a film via his Playtone label.

Forrest Gump (1994), a modern classic that earned six Oscars, demonstrated the obstacles faced by amputees through Gary Sinise’s portrayal of Lt. Dan Taylor and a love for running via Forrest Gump (Hanks).
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Running Brave: Classic running movie about Billy Mills & the heart of a warrior

Posted December 28th, 2006 at 11:27 AM by Kathryn Magro

Section: Motivation, Movies, Columns, SPOTLIGHT

This is part four of the 5-part series: “BILLY MILLS: Overlooked Hero of Running” (Links to the other installments in this series are located at the conclusion of this article).

Running serves a different purpose for everyone. For some, it is solely a method of exercise; others find it to be a means of escape. In Running Brave, a 1983 film showcasing the life and career of Billy Mills, we find that running can also be a way of life. it certainly is for Mills, who states: “Running has been my freedom; my happiness.”

The struggles that Mills (played by Robby Benson) endures throughout the film revolve around his life as an American Sioux-Indian and his use of running to both fit in and remain sane in a seemingly uncontrollable world.
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