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Lead Stories: Sunday, November 23, 2008

Running Film Festival:
Dream With Us In Eugene

Posted June 12th, 2008 at 2:30 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Announcements, Marathons, Motivation, Movies, Cross Country, Track & Field, Olympics, Trail / Ultra, College, High School, Road Racing

The Running Film Festival (RFF), scheduled for July 3-5 on the University of Oregon campus, is the first film festival ever devoted to the subjects of track & field, road racing, cross country, marathon and ultra endurance running. This inaugural event will coincide with the U.S. Track & Field Trials and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Ryan Shay Memorial Fund.

Many of America’s most well known athletes and motivational icons will be featured in the feature films and documentaries screened over the three day event. In addition, today’s brightest stars, accomplished Olympians, and legends of the sport will make guest appearances and participate in Q&A sessions with the audience.

In an effort to complement the trials schedule, the festival will commence in the evening when the events have concluded for the day.

For more information, to view the complete film schedule and to purchase tickets, please visit: RunningFilmFestival.com

The RFF is presented by Nissan, sponsored by TheFinalSprint.com and Running Times, and Saucony serves as the official footwear sponsor. In addition, BR Sportswear, Videe-O’s, Running DVD’s, and the KDUK & KOOL radio stations are all “Dash” level sponsors of the event.

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Running Film Festival to Premier During Olympic Trials; Support Ryan Shay Memorial Fund

Posted May 28th, 2008 at 9:30 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Announcements, Marathons, Cross Country, Track & Field, Resources, Olympics, Trail / Ultra

RFF Release: When nearly 200,000 athletes and fans converge on Eugene, Oregon, for the 2008 U.S. Track & Field Trials, there is no doubt they will enjoy the beautiful scenery and the competitive spirit of “Track Town USA.”

However, when they leave Hayward Field for some well-deserved down time, hundreds will head to the movies. That’s right! Hollywood comes to Eugene, as the city plays host to the first film festival ever devoted to the subjects of track & field, marathon running, and cross country: the Running Film Festival (RFF), scheduled for July 3 – 5 on the University of Oregon campus.

RFF is the brainchild of running enthusiasts and industry entrepreneurs, who formulated the idea after assessing the vast, yet underexposed, collection of celluloid devoted to the sport. The festival signed a title sponsor to join presenting sponsors TheFinalSprint.com and Running Times, and a great event was born. A portion of the proceeds from the RFF will be donated to the Ryan Shay Memorial Fund
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“Running Film Festival” in Eugene Sure to Be An Unforgettable Experience

Posted May 25th, 2008 at 3:30 PM by Jesse Squire

Section: News & Results, Announcements, Marathons, Cross Country, Track & Field, Olympics, Trail / Ultra, High School

I’m going to this summer’s Olympic Trials—my first-ever Trials trip—and I’m getting pretty excited. Not just about the meet, but everything else as well. It seems like everyone in Tracktown USA is going all-out to make it an unforgettable experience.

The community at large is putting on a massive “Eugene ’08 Festival” complete with a temporary sports bar, music stage, kids’ activities, and excursions to sites like Pre’s Rock and the Nike campus. The whole effect is like the NCAA basketball tournament combined with the Newport Jazz Festival and the Ann Arbor Art Fairs, with the Tribeca Film Festival on top.

In fact, one entry from Tribeca will be shown in Eugene. Without a doubt, the biggest off-track happening during the Trials will be the upcoming Running Film Festival (RFF)– where a percentage of ticket sales will benefit the Ryan Shay Memorial Fund. Entries are still being accepted, but the schedule of feature-length films, documentaries and shorts currently includes the following:
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Film Festival to Complement Olympic Trials in Eugene

Posted May 21st, 2008 at 3:30 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Cross Country, Track & Field, Olympics, High School, Road Racing

After spending hours at the track watching the 2008 USA Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field in Eugene, Ore., this summer, track fans can retreat to the cool darkness of a movie theatre to take in the inaugural Running Film Festival, presented by Nissan and sponsored by TheFinalSprint.com and Running Times magazine.

“Everyone knows ‘Pre,’ ‘Without Limits,’ and ‘Chariots of Fire,’ but there are dozens of other movies and documentaries that runners will enjoy,” said Adam Jacobs editor-in-chief of TheFinalSprint.com. “We created an event that brings together great films, talented directors, elite athletes, and people who simply love the sport. Movie makers have the chance to screen their films for appreciative audiences with entertainment that fits seamlessly with the spirit of Eugene 08.”

Jacobs said that while the festival would include some world premieres, the core of the festival would be established running films like “The Long Green Line,” “Spirit of the Marathon,” “Run For Your Life,” “Indulgence,” “Run Like Hell,” and “Showdown.” The entire line-up will be posted at http://www.runningfilmfestival.com.
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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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Podcast 72: “Showdown” running documentary writer/director PETER HAN

Posted August 10th, 2007 at 6:30 PM by Adam Jacobs

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

Episode 72 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast features my interview with the PETER HAN; the Writer, Director, and Producer of the new running documentary “Showdown: The Race for the 2007 US Cross-Country Championship”.

Showdown, which uses the slogan “Five Elite Distance Runners, One Dream”, chronicles the race to the race - showing what elites like Meb Keflezighi, Jorge Torres, and Abdi Abdirahman, do to prepare themselves for the crucible of world-class competition.

In the interview Peter talks about where the concept for “Showdown” originated, how it all came together, the experience of working with Meb, Jorge, Abdi, Alan Culpepper and Dathan Ritzenhein and being motivated by watching them give it their all day in and day out.

Download the podcast to hear Peter discuss these topics, as well as, his previous and successful film about Ironman triathletes called “What It Takes”, the resurgence of American distance running, possibilities for future running and athletic documentaries, and much more!

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

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Host: Adam Jacobs
Guest: Peter Han
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Music: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File size: 13.9 MB
Length: 13:12

Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!

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Exciting distance running documentary coming out on DVD

Posted June 20th, 2007 at 4:43 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Motivation, Movies

The long-awaited distance running documentary, “Showdown,” will be released soon on DVD, according to Peter Han who wrote and directed the hi-res video with Andrew Ernst.

The documentary focuses on the clash which was building between Abdi Abdirahman, Alan Culpepper, Meb Keflezighi, Dathan Ritzenhein, and Jorge Torres at the 2007 U.S. Cross Country Championships (Keflezighi ultimately did not take part). Much of the video was shot in Boulder, and includes interviews with many athletes, coaches and journalists shot in a punchy style, according to the clips your editor has watched.
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Top U.S. athletes head to Boulder for USA Cross Country Championships

Posted February 7th, 2007 at 8:41 PM by Allyson Rosen

Section: News & Results, Cross Country

One of the strongest fields ever heads to Boulder, CO, for the 2007 USA Cross Country Championships presented by Gleukos this Saturday, Feb. 9th.

This year’s field includes 12 U.S. Olympians and seven former USA Cross Country Championship titlists. With 2006 being the last year for a long-course and short-course two-day program, and now with the return to a one-day format at the World Championships, the U.S. championship will once again be a “One Race, One Champion” event.

The event will serve as the trials race to select the Team USA squad that will compete at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, to be held in Mombasa, Kenya on March 24. The 2007 USA Cross Country Championships will be televised in association with the Tyson Invitational February 11, from 1-3 p.m. on ESPN 2.
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