To the best of our knowledge, all of the movies listed below are rated G or PG. Some may be available at local video stores, and others may be available at the public library. If you have no luck with either of those options, try shopping for new or used copies online. The descriptions below are from runningmovies.com, with some editing by us.
Fire on the Track
The legendary distance runner Steve Prefontaine blazed across tracks and into America's consciousness before meeting a tragic death in an auto accident at the age of 24. This is a touching look at a brilliant athlete and a charming character who still inspires runners today. "Pre" embodied the spirit of athletic excellence. He had a belief in self and sport that transcended all but the outer reaches of human speed and endurance. As a freshman, he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, which hailed him as "America's Distance Prodigy." By the time he died, Pre held all 7 American records between 2,000 and 10,000 meters. Off the track, he fought relentlessly for the rights of amateur athletes to prosper for their sacrifices. Fire On the Track is the story of this young lion's life, as told through rare footage and the memories of those who knew him best - his teammates, coaches, family and friends. Interviews include many of the world's top distance runners.
Running on The Sun
The Badwater 135, the equivalency of five back-to-back marathons, features no cheering crowds and no monetary reward. There is little media attention or applause. Often, there is no end in sight. Instead, the runners rely on themselves for motivation, comfort and determination. The only prize, awarded for completing the race in under 48 hours, is a belt buckle, a coveted symbol of achievement among ultra-runners. The human body weathers extreme environmental conditions throughout the race. Runners are constantly challenged with temperatures ranging from 38ºF to 125ºF, 50 mph head winds, two 5,000-foot climbs, and a finish line located 8,400 feet up Mt. Whitney in California's Sierra Nevada mountain range. Most competitors will run, walk and crawl for two continuous days and nights to reach the finish line. One third of the competitors will fail. But for the most determined runners, a great personal victory awaits them at the finish line. After 135 miles, the runners have completed a mythic journey, overcoming the obstacles of nature, fellow competitors and, most of all, themselves.
Running Brave
Starring Robby Benson (a sub 3-hour marathoner himself) and based on the true story of half-Sioux, half-white athlete Billy Mills. Billy attended the University of Kansas in the 1960s, where he excelled in sports but had to contend with his fellow classmate's racism. Billy's athletic career culminated in 1964, with the winning of a gold medal in the 10,000 meters at the Tokyo Olympiad. To this day, he is the only American ever to win the Olympic Gold Medal in this event. Mills' victory is considered by many to be one of the biggest upsets in the history of the Olympic Games as world record holder Ron Clarke was in the race, finishing for the bronze medal. To see or hear the actual last lap of this race, visit "Billy Mills: American Olympic Legend." Mills is now a Marine Corps officer and is still actively supporting running through his organization Running Strong for American Indian Youth.
Race For Kenya
A fascinating look at how and why Kenyan men and women excel in the world of distance running. Kenyans increasingly dominate the middle and long distances at the Olympic Games and World Athletics Championships. The film includes world record performances, rarely shot training footage and startling testimony from a leading scientific authority on the reasons for Kenyan success. It also contains interviews with top athletes, coaches, sponsors and critics of Kenyan athletics. Some of the contributors include: Kip Keino, Moses Kiptanui, Moses Tanui, Dieter Baumann, Bob Kennedy, Colm O'Connell, and Hugh Jones.
A Race for the Soul
Witness profiles of the physical and mental challenges encountered by participants in the Western States 100, a grueling ultramarathon held in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. The goal is not so much winning, but simply completing a challenging journey through mountains and canyons. This documentary was shown on public television, bringing attention to the brave runners who push themselves to the very edge of their limits.
Endurance
A true-life story of an Olympic hero, Haile Gebrselassie, and just how far he came in order to become the greatest Olympic long distance runner the world has ever seen. Raised under oppressive conditions in one of the world's poorest countries, the Ethiopian boy was born to run! When he wasn't laboring in his father's fields, young Haile would be running the six miles to school and back or simply for pleasure at the end of a long, hard day. In an inspirational and artfully crafted motion picture, the climactic moment comes as the unstoppable Haile chases down his lifelong dream in a stirring Gold Medal performance at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games! Note: There are two other films with the same title, both of which are based on the Antarctica expeditions of Ernest Shackleton.
Children of Heaven
Filmed in Iran, this movie won a 1999 Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film (Persian), an honor it won in the 1998 Newport International Film Festival. When Ali loses his sister Zahra's school shoes, this young pair dream up a plan to stay out of trouble: they'll share his shoes and keep it a secret from their parents! Ali and sister go through many crazy antics involving running through the streets of Tehran so that they can both wear the same shoes to school. Ultimately, the boy convinces his schools physical education teacher that he should represent the school in a regional road race. His goal is not to win the race, but rather the second prize of a pair of running shoes.
Chariots of Fire
This is a story of two men who run not to run, but to prove something to the world. They will sacrifice anything to achieve their goals, except their honor. The film won 1981 Oscars for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Costume Design, and Best Original Score, and the 1982 Golden Globe Awards Best Foreign Film (it is in English).
Based on a true story, the movie deals with the personal struggles faced by two very different runners competing for Britain in the 1924 Paris Olympic Games. Eric Liddell is a devout Christian who sees victory as a testament to the glory of God, while Harold Abrahams is a Jewish Cambridge student who sees victory as a challenge to anti-Semitism and his ongoing struggle for acceptance by Britain's elite. Ultimately, the two runners meet in Paris to run for British victory in a rousing finale. This was the only running movie to break into Sports Illustrated's Top 20 Sports Movies (1991).
A Shining Season
This made for television movie was first broadcast the day after Christmas in 1979 and stars Timothy Bottoms, Rip Torn, and Ed Begley, Jr. This is a true story of John Baker, a top-ranked distance runner who is suddenly struck with terminal cancer. Baker, an elementary school teacher, has trouble at first accepting his tragic illness. But with the support of his family and his best friend, John Haaland (Ed Begley Jr.), he challenges his new opponent. Forming a girls track team, the Duke City Dashers, he teaches the girls self-respect and offers hope to two girls with physical handicaps. In his effort to win the race against time, he stresses the importance of trying and eventually leads the team towards a national championship!
Lady Warriors
Lady Warriors is the compelling story of a girl's high school cross-country team during their 2000 season on a quest for a fourth consecutive state championship in Arizona. The film takes us behind the scenes on the Navajo and Hopi reservations as the Lady Warriors prepare to defend their title. Throughout the movie we watch the Lady Warriors grow; share their experiences; witness their lives; see where and how traditional and modern life intersect; and learn about their hopes and dreams. In the course of the season, we come to know a group of young, spirited Native American women inspired by tradition, undaunted by poverty, fueled by possibility, and fiercely dedicated to making their dreams come true. We also get unique glimpses of Hopi and Navajo life, including a baby naming ceremony, buffalo dancing, and a Navaho puberty ritual. This film won the award for Best Documentary, American Indian Festival, 2001, in addition to other awards in 2002 from Film Festivals in Denver, San Francisco, and Phoenix. Dave Kuehls wrote a review that appeared in Runner's World. You can obtain this film if you are a school district, library, or media center by contacting Filmakers Library. Be sure to ask for the 90 minute version (rather than the 56 minute version) to see the entire film. HBO Family has the broadcasting rights to this movie for one year ending in October of 2003.
