Running movie review

The other day I realized that I have not done another running movie review. I am slipping people! I had to think about what I was going to review and I got a little stressed about it until it hit me that I could review a movie that I've seen multiple times. So without further ado here is the review for

Spirit of the Marathon

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I saw this movie about two years ago when I just started becoming serious about running. I was in no shape to run a marathon at the time but was intrigued by the idea. I've seen the movie about three times and though it isn't at the top of my list of great running movies to watch, it does have it's inspiring moments. Oh and it's a documentary by the way.

The movie follows six marathoners preparing for the 2005 Chicago marathon. Two runners are elite athletes (Deena Kastor and Daniel Njenga) and the four others are everyday people ranging from experienced runners to newbies. The first portion of the movie goes into the history of the sport and how the marathon has become a huge event for people of all ages and backgrounds. That part of the movie was very fascinating to me. I love to know the history and back story about things and people. 

If you don't know the story of the marathon, I can give you a quick synopsis. Apparently around 490 B.C. a greek messenger ran all the way from Marathon, Greece (hence the name of the event) to Athens to report that the Persians had been defeated in battle. He ran the entire distance and once he gave the news he collapsed and dropped dead immediately after. Yeah, he died. Thousands of years later (around 1896) when the modern Olympic games were beginning, someone said "Hey remember that story about the guy running all the way from Marathon to Athens non-stop and then dying? We should do that!" And there you have the birth of the marathon.

After the historical points the movie delves into the each runners story and how they plan to prepare for the Chicago marathon. Ryan Bradley is a serious veteran runner who wants to qualify for the Boston marathon. I think he came close a couple of times but missed it by mere seconds. I wouldn't say he's obsessed (though I just did) but he is VERY determined to reach his goal. This was Lori O'Connor's first marathon and she is optimistic but realistic in her goal to complete the race. With this race she is also raising money for an adoption agency that she is familiar with.

Leah Caille is a single mother who is also running a marathon for the first time. She started running as a way to heal from a rough divorce. Jerry Meyers is a 70 year-old runner who started late in life but doesn't let that stop him from running a number of races every year. He runs for sheer enjoyment and you get to see him coach his daughter who is running the Chicago marathon for the first time.

As far as personal stories go, none particularly grabbed my interest. I wouldn't say that you could get any kind of attachment or draw some inspiration from their stories but it's entertaining. All in all if you are sitting around one afternoon but can't find anything to watch and this happens to pop up anywhere in one of your viewing devices, I say watch it. If not for the individual stories but for the historical content, it's something that is worth adding to your running movie watch list.

For my personal rating I give this movie: 

one thumb up and one thumb down