Documentaries about hiking and marathons...

Vintage VFer · 06-20-20, 02:48 PM

We've been having a home mini film festival recently featuring documentaries about hiking, running, ultra-marathons, etc. DH has done marathons. I love hiking, but the heavy duty trails are history for me.

Still, I love watching other folks give it their all.

Here are some good ones (free on Amazon Prime):

- Six Million Steps: A Journey Inward (2011) (thru hiking the Pacific Crest Trail)

- Desert Runners (2013) (ultra-marathoners run four deserts on different continents!)

- The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young (2014) (some years nobody wins!)

-3100, Run and Become (2018) (running around a block in New York in August for 3100 miles!)

I'll post more as I think of them. If you've seen any good ones, post here.

alisoncooks · 06-20-20, 03:24 PM

Don't know about documentaries, but have you read the Grandma Gatewood book? That was super inspiring!

Patti S. · 06-20-20, 03:34 PM

I loved the Barkley Marathon documentary. Three thumbs up!

adawn · 06-20-20, 10:54 PM

I saw and enjoyed one of the ones you listed--Desert Runners.

FirmDancer · 06-21-20, 08:49 AM

Following ... I love reading / watching stories of long-distance thru-hikes. I have absolutely no desire to ever do one, but greatly enjoy other's adventures.

mtngoat · 06-21-20, 05:43 PM

Thanks for all these suggestions! I love hiking films/books.

My favorite hiking films (that are largely character-watching with gentle humour) are by Scott Heriott. Included are a series on the PCT, called 'Walk', 'Still Walking' 'Even More Walking' and 'Walked'. They are available for purchase (or to rent at a nominal fee) from:

https://squatchfilms.com/pacific-crest-trail-films/

I have no affiliation with Scott - I found him on Kickstarter and have eagerly awaited each new release since.

Vintage VFer · 06-22-20, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alisoncooks

Don't know about documentaries, but have you read the Grandma Gatewood book? That was super inspiring!

Thanks for the suggestion!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtngoat

Thanks for all these suggestions! I love hiking films/books.
My favorite hiking films (that are largely character-watching with gentle humour) are by Scott Heriott. Included are a series on the PCT, called 'Walk', 'Still Walking' 'Even More Walking' and 'Walked'. They are available for purchase (or to rent at a nominal fee) from:
https://squatchfilms.com/pacific-crest-trail-films/
I have no affiliation with Scott - I found him on Kickstarter and have eagerly awaited each new release since.

Scott has a doc on hiking the Appalachian Trail called, Flip Flop Flippin.'(2014) We watched that the other night. It is more about the characters he meets on the trail than the actual trail itself.

We watched:

Breaking 60: Challenging The Impossible (2017) (running the hills above Hong Kong. The marathon includes riding a subway and taking a ferry to complete several different trails)

Snow to Sand (2018) (two guys decide to hike the PCT southbound from Canada. In the winter!)

Dragon's Back Race (2013) (running the beautiful mountains of Wales. We recognized Wouter from the Barkley Marathon.)

In some of the docs, several of the runners are in their 50's, 60's and beyond. I am in good shape, but holy cow, no marathons for me!

Vintage VFer · 06-26-20, 01:14 PM

Mile... Mile & a Half (2013)

"In an epic snow year, five friends leave their daily lives behind to hike California's historic John Muir Trail, a 211-mile stretch from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney (the highest peak in the contiguous U.S.). Their goal - complete the journey in 25 days while capturing the amazing sights & sounds they encounter along the way..."

I liked it, but the reviews are mixed.

Tugger31 · 06-26-20, 02:24 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urRVZ4SW7WU

Not about hiking, but about achieving a goal. This movie was awe inspiring. It was also interesting to know that he trained doing alot of yoga in addition to his climbing.

Vintage VFer · 06-27-20, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tugger31

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urRVZ4SW7WU

Not about hiking, but about achieving a goal. This movie was awe inspiring. It was also interesting to know that he trained doing alot of yoga in addition to his climbing.

I'll have to check that one out. Thanks!

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06-20-20, 02:48 PM
Vintage VFer VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001	Documentaries about hiking and marathons... We've been having a home mini film festival recently featuring documentaries about hiking, running, ultra-marathons, etc. DH has done marathons. I love hiking, but the heavy duty trails are history for me. Still, I love watching other folks give it their all. Here are some good ones (free on Amazon Prime): - Six Million Steps: A Journey Inward (2011) (thru hiking the Pacific Crest Trail) - Desert Runners (2013) (ultra-marathoners run four deserts on different continents!) - The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young (2014) (some years nobody wins!) -3100, Run and Become (2018) (running around a block in New York in August for 3100 miles!) I'll post more as I think of them. If you've seen any good ones, post here. __________________ Goal:250 / Done:91 POSTURE CHECK!

06-20-20, 03:24 PM
alisoncooks Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: TarHeel country	Don't know about documentaries, but have you read the Grandma Gatewood book? That was super inspiring!

06-20-20, 03:34 PM
Patti S. VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Orange County, CA	I loved the Barkley Marathon documentary. Three thumbs up! __________________ "We are so fortunate we get to exercise" - Erin O' Brien

06-20-20, 10:54 PM
adawn VF Supporter Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Illinois	I saw and enjoyed one of the ones you listed--Desert Runners.

06-21-20, 08:49 AM
FirmDancer VF Supporter Join Date: Apr 2002	Following ... I love reading / watching stories of long-distance thru-hikes. I have absolutely no desire to ever do one, but greatly enjoy other's adventures. __________________ “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!” -- Hunter S. Thompson Current Rotations: JSmith: STRENGTHEN ManFlowYoga: morning sessions & Strength Foundations YogaGlo & MFML: easy, morning classes

06-21-20, 05:43 PM
mtngoat Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Alberta, Canada	Thanks for all these suggestions! I love hiking films/books. My favorite hiking films (that are largely character-watching with gentle humour) are by Scott Heriott. Included are a series on the PCT, called 'Walk', 'Still Walking' 'Even More Walking' and 'Walked'. They are available for purchase (or to rent at a nominal fee) from: https://squatchfilms.com/pacific-crest-trail-films/ I have no affiliation with Scott - I found him on Kickstarter and have eagerly awaited each new release since. __________________ Lori Lacey (trying to convince Brent to take a Pilates class): C'mon Brent, don't you want to unify your mind and body? Brent: Nah. I'm not gonna put all my eggs in one basket. Corner Gas Season1 Episode 3 "Pilates Twist"

06-26-20, 01:14 PM
Vintage VFer VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001	Mile... Mile & a Half (2013) "In an epic snow year, five friends leave their daily lives behind to hike California's historic John Muir Trail, a 211-mile stretch from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney (the highest peak in the contiguous U.S.). Their goal - complete the journey in 25 days while capturing the amazing sights & sounds they encounter along the way..." I liked it, but the reviews are mixed. __________________ Goal:250 / Done:91 POSTURE CHECK!

06-26-20, 02:24 PM
Tugger31 Join Date: Feb 2002	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urRVZ4SW7WU Not about hiking, but about achieving a goal. This movie was awe inspiring. It was also interesting to know that he trained doing alot of yoga in addition to his climbing.