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The 7 Best Movies about Marathons of All Time

  • Cardio

Maybe you want to run a marathon or you’re just curious about marathons. It can be very motivating and informative to first watch a movie or several movies related to marathons. That is why in this article we discuss 7 movies that are about a marathon.

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marathon runners

#1 – Saint Ralph (2005)

Saint Ralph is about a 14-year-old boy named Ralph. He has a very sick mother, which gives him the drive to fully focus on running. This was after he was put on the school’s cross-county team as punishment for being caught smoking. His goal is to win the Boston Marathon and he is convinced that this will lead to his mother waking up from her coma.
It is a very inspiring movie and a must-watch if you want to run a marathon!

#2 – The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young (2014)

The Barkley Marathons is about a bizarre marathon that only 10 people have completed in the first 25 years of its existence. The marathon takes place in the forests of Tennessee and participants must cover a whopping 160 kilometers in 60 hours. In addition, the route is not clear and only a paper map can be used, which makes it a challenge in itself not to get lost.
This film shows how the human mind can push its body to its limits.

#3 – Boston: An American Running Story (2017)

Boston, as the name suggests, is about the Boston Marathon. The film shows the most impressive moments in the history of this marathon.
The film shows well that a marathon can mean a lot to people; it’s not just any race.

#4 – Brittany Runs A Marathon (2019)

Brittany Runs a Marathon is about an overweight woman who sets out to completely change her life. She does this after a wake-up call at the doctor. She wants to lose a lot of weight and participate in a marathon. It is difficult at the beginning, but Brittany continues to make small steps.
The film is presented with a lot of humor which makes it a film that is very easy to watch.

#5 – Spirit Of The Marathon (2007)

The Spirit of the Marathon is about 6 participants of the Chicago Marathon. In the film, you get a picture of the training process that precedes the marathon. Nice to know: A second part of the film was released in 2013, so if you like the film, it is definitely recommended. This film can give a huge psychological push if you want to run a marathon yourself and also gives a good idea of how much you will have to train for it.

#6 – The Long Run (2000)

The long run is about a running coach who loses his job. As luck would have it, he gets to know a runner who he thinks is incredibly talented. The coach indicates that he wants to train her for the Comrades Marathon; a 90 km (55.9 miles) ultra-marathon. In the process, a close bond grows between the 2.
The film is very inspiring and shows how friendships can develop when you work towards a common goal.

#7 – Patriots Day (2016)

Patriots Day is based on the true story of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. After the attack, the police set out as quickly as possible to find the perpetrators and prevent another attack.
Unlike the other movies, Patriots Day is an action movie. It all starts with the marathon, but most of the film revolves around the manhunt for the perpetrators.