Customer Reviews

Spirit of the Marathon

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This movie is terrific. A great inspiration for runners or anyone considering running as a sport. Whether your goal is to run a 5K or a marathon, this movie will inspire you. I can not wait to purchase mine on October 7th!

I saw this movie at the theatre. It was remarkably inspiring. I wanted to go out that night and run a marathon. The director does a beautiful job of weaving the stories of several runners who are training for the Chicago Marathon. He takes both elite runners and everyday middle of the pack runners. Many, many inspiring stories! I plan to own it and show it to my cross country kids. THIS IS A MUST SEE FOR ALL RUNNERS!!!

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!!

The Spirit of the Marathon is a great documentary about running. This film follows a wide range of runners training for the 2005 Chicago marathon. From an older experienced "Penguin" marathoner, a married couple who has ran many marathons hoping to qualify for Boston, 2 first time marathoners and two elites. The film follows them from the beginning of their training to race day. If your new to running, an intermediate runner or an advanced runner there is someone in this film you can identify with. Many things that happen to runners during training and racing also happen in this film from hitting the wall,struggling with injury to the guilt that comes with how much time it requires to train for a marathon is covered. The history of the marathon is also briefly covered and a few great runners such as Katherine Switzer are interviewed as part of the film to discuss marathon running. This movie is inspirational,moving and entertaining even for the non runner. I have watched this film five times and it never get's old. I highly recommend it. If you enjoy this film you may also enjoy Ultramarathon Man: 50 Marathons - 50 States - 50 Days,The Runner: Extreme UltraRunner David Horton,Running the Sahara [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Great Britain ], Running on the Sun, or Saint Ralph

I am an "everyday" runner who ran the Chicago 05 marathon...I cried when I saw this in the theatre (both times)! It brought back so many memoris for me - I ran with two friends and it was so special for me....I kept looking for us, and for my husband and our son who were cheering us from the sidelines..so much effort goes into training for a marathon and it was amazing to see the different levels of athletic ability portrayed in the movie. I saw Deena Kastor before she went to sign course maps and posters at the marathon expo-not realizing who she is - now she is my running hero! This really is a must see movie for anyone training for a marathon!
SW

As a runner who runs alone...I really enjoyed watching this movie. To see how other runners prepare for runs and races. The different backgrounds and stories, yet the way running can bring people together.

This movie will mean more to runners than to non-runners. I fall someplace in the middle because I've never run a marathon, just a few 1/2 marathons. But that is enough to understand what these runners go through to prepare and then participate in the race.

Join two top-flight runners, a couple of first-timers, and a couple of repeat marathoners as they prepare for the race. Threaded through their story are comments from prominent runners, past and present, as well as narration and images that describe the history of the modern marathon.

This is a documentary, but it includes real-life drama, and tense moments.

I can't recommend this film highly enough! 5 solid stars.

It may even be enough to convince you to do a marathon of your own!

OK, a couple of major jaw-dropping parts of the movie include the start of the Chicago Marathon, and a panning shot of the 40,000 runners that participate! Wow! Also, the elite men who run the race at a pace of about 4 min 40 second miles for 26.2 miles! Crazy! And, they finish in just over 2 hrs...a time I'm happy to have for a 1/2 marathon.

This film really is top-notch. So, if you are a runner or you know a runner, you would probably enjoy this!

This movie is inspiring and well done with several interesting story lines.
We watched it as a family. My daughter, who has vowed never to run, enjoyed the movie.

Beware that the movie previews that come on before the main movie are extremely "risque". If you want to watch it with your kids skip to the main event before your kids are in the room.

I think that of you are a runner, especially in training for a marathon there is a simple suggestion: watch this. It covers various runners as they get ready for the Chicago Marathon, of all levels. They are all true champs. It is a superb docujournal based on what various levels of runners "do" to win.

I have run several marathons - but it has been a while. It put me in the mood: big time.

I thought this movie was a little better than most of the "running" videos out there.