Spirit of the Marathon (2007) on Netflix
PG20071h 44mDocumentarySport
Six runners prepare for the 2005 Chicago Marathon. Elites Deena Kastor and Daniel Njenga both want the win, and four amateurs from Chicago train toward their own finishes.
- Netflix4.0/5
- IMDb7.4/10646 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes88%
Trailer
Plot summary
An opening survey of marathon history, mixing footage of past races with commentary from veteran marathoners, gives way to six competitors preparing for the 2005 Chicago Marathon. Deena Kastor, an Olympic bronze medalist who has not yet won a marathon, trains in Mammoth Lakes, California, and recovers from an injury there, while Daniel Njenga, who has finished second in Chicago before, is a sponsored runner based in Tokyo. Ryan Bradley, a veteran, wants a Boston qualifying time, and Lori O'Connor is running her first marathon. Jerry Meyers, 70, says he runs for the T-shirt and leads slower training runs alongside his daughter, and Leah Caille took up the sport after a divorce.
Cast
- Ryan Bradleyas Ryan Bradley
- Leah Cailleas Leah Caille
- Jerry Meyersas Jerry Meyers
- Daniel Njengaas Daniel Njenga
- Lori O'Connoras Lori O'Connor
- Paula Radcliffeas Paula Radcliffe
- Frank Shorteras Frank Shorter
- Kathrine Switzeras Herself
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Spirit of the Marathon (2007)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Jon Dunham, the director of the film, was inspired to make it because of the impact running marathons had on his life. He said running a marathon was the most difficult thing he had done in his life, until he started to make a documentary about it, and he initially filmed Kastor while financing the production himself.
- To film the subjects running the marathon, the camera crews rode in pedicabs, and the amateur runners had other runners alongside them holding up signs to help the crew identify them in the crowd.
- Dunham originally thought that the film should focus on the amateurs more than Kastor, but said he found her enthusiasm, talent and determination irresistible.
- Kastor revealed that the six runners did not meet until a brunch after the marathon, and that they felt an immediate bond of friendship.
Stills
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