SPIRIT OF THE MARATHON

For what it is the film is very inspiring. Boy the Chicago Marathon looked flat as a pancake after watching them drive the course. Of course being off the great lakes the wind probably makes it much more challenging. The movie does get the blood flowing and you end up rooting for several of the characters during the race.One thing I noticed the novice runners made a big deal out of the 20 mile run making it much harder in their minds than it needed to be. I don't know what running program they were on but if they had only done 1 20 miler 3 weeks before the marathon then they would be in big trouble for the actual full marathon event. I felt badly for the Ryan Bradley character but doing that treadmill highest speed setting was a very stupid thing to do. It would have been easier on the body just to try and duplicate that on a track from what he can run compared to the world elite. Not surprising that he got injured although I don't wish injuries on anybody but it does come with the sport.The highlight of the movie is really Lori O Conner. You can see her gain confidence as her training progresses. She was training correctly and was ready for the race. By the day of the event you know she is going to do well.The opposite is the Leah Callie lady, when she pulled out of the half marathon less than half way through you knew that if she made it to marathon day the race would be much harder for her and it was.Watching the veterans was pretty interesting I would have liked the DVD to spend a little more time on them. Deena Kastor was amazingly fast and could probably outrun the majority of men. The Kenyan guy Daniel Njenga tried so hard in the event only to keep coming up just short of the prize. It made me wonder if Deena and the Daniel would have tried to win smaller marathon's first to gain their confidence on the bigger stages. For instance if they won San Diego, San Francisco, Portland or Seattle would that give them the confidence to win the bigger races in London, Chicago, New York, Boston and Berlin? Also it would have been nice to see Deena's training recovery schedule to see what kind of miles she did to get back into form after the freak foot injury.I was kind of surprised that they did not stagger the start of the Chicago Marathon since the race had so many people in it. But then again they probably know what they are doing. The film shows you the struggle the athletes endure during the latter stages of the race but you don't feel the dread of miles 22-26 in the movie. When most of the athletes have used up all the glucagon in their bodies and run out of gas literally.I found the movie thrilling and worth watching and would rate it about 4 1/2 stars. It has a nice small history of the marathon as well in the movie. It is probably a movie best rented at your local library rather than buying the DVD.

As a long time runner, I was just thrilled to find this DVD on marathon running.While I enjoyed the documentary, and, in no way want to diminish it, I think I expected something different. I thought I would see more elite runners and clips of epic marathon moments.The DVD basically highlights 5 runnersand the emotional highs and lows that they go through as they each train for and run the marathon for different personal reasons. While you come to appreciate each one's hard work and struggle, it was not exactly what I was expecting in the way of personal inspiration for myself. Perhaps it was the way the movie was made - it didn't stay on one person for long before they would cut to a different runner. It went back and forth a lot and I felt like I couldn't really get a grasp on anyone.One of the best scenes for me was the sweeping shot of the starting line at the Chicago Marathon. Approx. 40,000 runners all lined up waiting to start appeared to go on forever! That shot was spectacular. I got very emotional seeing that.All in all, a good, informative documentary. I wish there were more docs made on running.

My husband (who ran the 05 Chicago marathon) and I (a wanna-be runner) saw this at the 06 Chicago marathon/Chicago Film Festival. The audience was largely full of those running the marathon the next day. The atmosphere was electric as the movie began and throughout it did not disappoint. The story follows 2 elite runners, someone trying to qualify for Boston, 2 women running their first marathon and a master's runner trying to complete his fourth. Each person has such a compelling story from Deena Kastor who is attempting to win at Chicago to Leah, a woman who is trying to pick up the pieces from a divorce and gain back some physical fitness in the process.The sweeping shots of stunning Chicago and chill inducing music make this an especially entertaining and inspiring movie. Whether you're a long time marathoner or a couch potato, you will find yourself identifying with at least one of the featured runners. You may even find that you're lacing up those running shoes and heading out yourself after watching!!

I watched this a few years back and again just recently before completing my first marathon today. It was a big part of what helped motivate me to train and run my first marathon. But even beyond that, it has helped me to appreciate and admire those who run as a lifestyle. The documentary follows multiple runners from all walks of life (from pros to amateurs, old and young) from their training all the way up to the marathon finish. It has made me, a non-jogger/runner, seriously contemplate making it an integral part of my lifestyle, marathon-training or not.

Although I'm a marathon runner and have run Chicago, this is a great film for anyone who wants an inspiring story about the strength of the human spirit. Each of the highlighted runners in this film uniquely shows how hard work, inner strength, and human support can make any dream possible. As a very unathletic chubby woman myself, training for and running the marathon has changed my life. It taught me things about myself and those I love that I never would have learned otherwise. And I never would have started and completed graduate school, changed jobs, or tried new things if I wouldn't have had the marathon experience. This film is for all those who dare to dream no matter what challenges they face in life. Be prepared to be inspired and be prepared to cheer. Finally a great film that shows how wonderful going for your dreams can be! NOT JUST FOR RUNNERS!!!!!

Excellent, excellent and excellent again. I stumbled upon the trailer for this DVD a few years ago. Everything I read on the Amazon site, which included the reviews and synopsis of the film heightened my desire to own it. I like the way the film brings together the lives of many runners (both professional and amateur) in the Chicargo marathon and shows their mental, emotional and of course, their physical journey to the starting line of this endurance race. This film is truly inspirational, it has that active ingredient to assist anyone who is struggling with life's challenges to be determined to cross the finishing line. 102 minutes of excellence!

If you are a runner... you shall watch this movie. If you want to start running... you shall watch it! Anyway a very sensational movie on how people start running, why and ... when! :)

Grips you from beginning to end. Have a look at the follow up in Rome as well.

Awesome!

Der Film ist wirklich gut gemacht - es werden mehrere Personen in der Marathonvorbereitung begleitet - vom Weltklasseläufer bis zum normalen Hobbyläufer. Die Wünsche und Motive der Läufer werden erörtert und es wird auch davon erzählt, worum es im Marathon geht: ums Leben selbst.Bin selber Läufer (1 Halbmarathon bisher) und kann mich mit vielen Aussagen identifizieren und muss sagen, dass dem Film auch eine gewisse Tiefe nicht fehlt und darum möchte ich "Spirit of the Marathon" allen Läufern und vor allem Nichtläufern ans Herz legen.