From "Chariots of Fire" to "Forest Gump" and "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner," running has long been a favorite subject of the movies.
Tom Hanks as the title character in the 1994 movie "Forrest Gump."
Last month, I promised to write about movies and books about running. I quickly realized that I would need to address these in separate columns and still not cover them adequately.
Two running movies are frequently brought up.
“Chariots of Fire” (1981) might be better known for its musical theme played before and during many races than its plot. The main characters, two sprinters, are a British Jew who is running to escape prejudice and a Scottish Christian who is running for God.
“Forrest Gump” (1994) is a romantic comedy depicting the life of a determined young man trying to find himself. Gump (Tom Hanks) runs for three years while trying to get over a girl, and it is these running scenes which make this movie a classic for runners.
Also on the most popular running movie list, but maybe not ones that will motivate runners, are “Marathon Man” (1976), “Gallipoli” (1981), “Running” (1979), and “Jericho Mile” (1973).
“Marathon Man,” starring Dustin Hoffman, is a thriller about a fanatical runner who uses his endurance to escape his killers. “Gallipoli” stars Mel Gibson running during World War I. “Running” stars Michael Douglas, who hopes that a second attempt at qualifying for the Olympics can put his life back together.
“Pre” (1998) is frequently listed as the top running movie of all time. It is the true-life, tragic story of world class runner Steve Prefontaine, and his rise and fall as a runner and a person. “Without Limits” (1998), is also about Steve Prefontaine. Surprisingly, both movies were released the same year.
My favorite fictional running movie (also a book) is “The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner” (1962). This classic cult movie is about a British teenager who uses running to escape his bleak future.
There are lots of documentary movies about running. “Marathon Challenge” (2007) is about a group of couch potatoes who train for and finish the Boston Marathon. “Marathon Boy” (2010) is the incredible story of a 4-year-old orphan boy from India. His ability to run marathons at this young age will startle you and how he is manipulated by his trainer will shock you.
My favorite ultra marathon movies are “Running on the Sun” (2000) and “Unbreakable” (2010). “Running on the Sun” is about the 135-mile Badwater ultra marathon from Death Valley to Mount Whitney. The race is so torturous is could be called a horror movie. “Unbreakable” is about four of the greatest ultra marathoners of all time and their quest to win the 2010 Western States 100. Each has been undefeated at this distance prior to the race. It is a great glimpse at running a 100-mile race.
So while many of you make plans for a big race this year, I hope watching some of these movies can inspire you to reach your goal. My apologies to any of you who feel I may have missed one of your favorites.
Seth Roberts writes the “On The Run” column biweekly. He can be reached at asethroberts@gmail.com