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Lead Stories: Tuesday, October 7, 2008

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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Marathon Comes to Big Screen, But For Only One Night

Posted January 7th, 2008 at 10:07 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Motivation, Movies

In an unusual arrangement, a full-length feature documentary film on marathon running will be shown in USA theaters, but only for one night: Thursday, January 24.

The film, “Spirit of the Marathon,” presents the stories of six runners who competed in the 2005 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, from from first timers to elite runners like Deena Kastor and Daniel Njenga. The film explores how recreational runners use the marathon as a device to confront other issues in their lives –like divorce– and how elite runners are in it for equal amounts of glory and cash.

“The normal person, they want to make their body slim,” Njenga says over shots of him warming up before the race. “But for us, we want to make money. This is like a job and I love my job.”

Filmed on four continents, the two-hour movie chronicles the training of these athletes, interspersed with interviews from well-known marathon runners and experts, like Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, Amby Burfoot, Dick Beardsley, Joe Henderson, Roger Robinson, and Kathrine Switzer. Shot in hi-def video, the footage of the Chicago Marathon is both varied and majestic; the producers had a crew of 62 on the scene and used 15 camera operators. There is also a rousing score.
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“Spirit of the Marathon” Documentary Sells Out Debut Screenings in Chicago

Posted October 17th, 2007 at 10:16 AM by Andrew Goodman

Section: News & Results, Motivation, Movies

The running documentary “Spirit of the Marathon” sold out its three debut showings at this month’s Chicago International Film Festival.

The Chicago Tribune called the film by Jon Dunham and Mark Jonathan Harris “a moving, clever, heartfelt examination of the marathon both as elite athletic competition and as “the Everyman’s Everest.”

For more information on “Spirit of the Marathon”, please visit: www.MarathonMovie.com

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“Spirit of the Marathon” to Debut at Chicago Festival

Posted September 4th, 2007 at 5:58 PM by Martha Jones

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Motivation, Movies

The full-length documentary film “Spirit of the Marathon” has been accepted to the Chicago International Film Festival and will have its world debut with back to back screenings on October 5, 2007.

Four years in the making, 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.

Billed as the first ever feature-length film to capture the essence, drama and unique spectacle of the famed 26.2-mile race, the production features five runners - three amateurs and two elites - as they train for and ultimately run the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.

For more information, please visit: MarathonMovie.com
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