I am one who appreciates stories of the human spirit. Spirit of the Marathon provides that in a documentary that interweaves commentary, history and personal insights from some of the foremost minds in the running community into a cinematic masterpiece of athletic achievement and human resolve.
Jon Dunham and his crew provide you with breath taking view of a sea of humanity all marching towards there own personal victory. Like modern day Athenians battling at the Battle of Marathon, we are witness to six individual stories of courage. All struggling against there own personal Persian Army. The work needed to bring this to the screen is amazing. The film never dulls and holds everyone captive, whether you are a runner or not.
"When you cross that finish line, your life will be changed forever", that one quote states it all. It is echoed through out the film and floats over it as the theme. The stories presented tell of lives changed, whether the runner was a pro, first timer, or experienced marathoner.
We watch Deena Kastor tell of how she was changed as she finished the 2004 Olympic Marathon in 3d place for the bronze medal. We watch her deal with injury in a methodical professional way. Pool running, cross training, weight training, all along waiting to ease back in to 120-145 mile weeks, her spirit unwavering. Personally I have never been a big Deena fan, but I am now! Here attitude is workmanlike in all aspects. She knows her job is is to be a professional runner and she approaches it as such.
Daniel Njenga works to change the lives of his family back in Kenya. He is also trying to shake the monkey of not being able to win Chicago. He has learned to deal with personal sacrifices of being away from his family in his native land. Living, training and working in Japan. He has had to deal with criminals killing his sister in law, nephew, and burning down his brother's home all because of his fame. Yet he he know every step he takes helps him bring his family one step closer to a better life.
We watch Jerry (aka Old guy) try to prove that age is not a barrier and how he inspires his own family to change. We watch him train and run with his daughter as tries to finish her first marathon. Oh yeah, Jerry is 70 years old!
You stand in awe of Lori (aka charity runner) as she balances school (she is a PhD student), work, a marriage and her running as she prepares to run her first 26.2 adventure. Trying to raise money for the charity which placed her with her adopted family as a child. You watch her husband seem unapproving, only to know she could not do all this with his help and support.
Family is also the theme of Leah (aka divorced mom) who took up running to help ease the tragedy of a divorce that left her without of shape, over weight, and depression to try and create a better life for her and her daughter. She struggles with training and spending time with her young daughter. But watch her light up the screen as she states that her daughter referes to her now as her "skinny mommy"
But all these challenges are nothing like those facing Ryan (aka BQ guy). Having missed a Boston Qualifier (BQ) by 22 seconds, Ryan is faced with the bigger challenge then in trying to finish in 3:10:59, when he is told by a Dr that he needs surgery to deal with a knee injury. We sit witness as we watch him break down into tears in the Dr office. We sit there helpless, being there, but not being able to comfort him with words in this most personal of tragedies. We feel the pain, we feel the hurt, we do not wish it upon anyone.
These stories are woven into a tapestry that includes history of the race, some science on the race, but more importantly insights that can only be obtained by each person's personal view on the race.
Watching Katherine Switzer tell the story of her run in Boston, shows you the struggle that helped allow women to run the marathon. Watching Joan Benoit-Samuelson say that she was surprised by the crowd at the LA Coliseum as she ran towards the Gold in 1984 (first ever Women's Olympic Marathon) was shocking and inspiring ( I remember watching it on TV.) This was then all wrapped up as we watch Paula Radcliffe set the women's record and watching her struggle, and drop out of the 2004 Olympic race. We once again bear witness to her very personal mental breakdown as she watches her dream falter. That segment was magnificently done.
The insight of Jon "the Penguin" Binham, brought some groans from the audience, but a chuckle as he says that in the end its about your return on investment. Enjoy it as long as you can, he says. For what its worth, your time in the 26.2 miles will have many facets, enjoy each one, but remember that its all about the hard work you put into it, it is a true test of honesty. If you cheated in training, you will pay for it in the race. Work hard and the pay out will be great.
The scenery was outstanding. I loved the scenes of Lori training on the Lakefront path. Having run there last May, I can still remember the views. Whether it was watching Daniel in Kenya or Deena in Northern California, you almost seemed to transcend the theater and be there.
But that would be nothing to "The Start".
The scene is the starting line, slowly the camera is raised above the start line and starts it's own journey over the 30,000 runners as they prepare to start there trip through the streets and neighborhoods of Chicago. The sea of humanity leaves you jaw dropped, you never ever get the sense of what it is like when you are in it. To watch it from above is almost religious as each soul prepares for there own pilgrimage to there soul.
Cinematographer Sarah Levy, does a remarkable job of relaying this. You are left speechless. Jeff Beal's score then heightens this to another level. As the music starts to slowly build and reaches its apex as the gun goes off.
Now the fun really starts. Thanks to some remarkable work, you are in the pack, running with Deena and Daniel as they duel mile for mile with there opponents. We run mile after mile with Jerry and his daughter Ro. We try and help Leah as she struggles to go beyond herself. We watch Ryan cheer on his wife Colleen from multiple points on the course. He is now changed, no longer the runner, he is the good husband and father and cheerleader. We watch as Lori enjoys herself on the course, constantly thanking those calling out her name.
We sit and watch as victory and defeat enter on to the course. We watch tears of celebration and tears of heartbreak and tears of what might have been. For those who never have watched a marathon finish, watch one. You see many tears. They are not tears of pain or agony. But instead tears of joy and ecstasy. I should know I still remember my tears after finishing my first, I had changed my life forever. This film leaves you feeling and sensing that as well, I feel that those who watched it probably left feeling changed and privileged to have watched 6 lives intersecting and coming out uniquely different in the end.
I highly recommend you go see the encore or buy the DVD, the return you will get on that investment is priceless.
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