10 Must Watch Trail Running Films

There is nothing better than going out and enjoying a run or hike on the trails but if I am unable to be doing that, I enjoying watching some films and documentaries showcasing the beauty of the great outdoors and some amazing stories of trail runners and their adventures.

Here are some of my favourites clips and films on trail running which I would recommend you to check out.

1. Western Time

The film documents Nike athlete Sally McRae’s journey in one of the most prominent 100 mile races in the world, the Western States 100. This is Sally’s first time running the race and also highlights how Sally qualified to get into Western States. It is definitely a bucket list race for many and this definitely shares the passion for the race and ultrarunning in general. A film by Billy Yang

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHoXgYPvj6o

2. Unbreakable

I couldn’t resist including a 2nd film about Western States 100.  

This film, "Unbreakable: The Western States 100" follows the four lead men on an amazing journey as they prepare for the 2010 edition of the Western States 100 mile endurance run, each runner undefeated in the lead up. Hal Koerner, two time defending Western States champion. Geoff Roes, undefeated at the 100-mile distance. Anton Krupicka, undefeated in each ultramarathon he has ever ran plus Spanish up and coming star, Killian Jornet, a two time Ultra-trail du Mont-Blanc champion.  A film by JB Benna and Journey Film.

Check out the trailer for ‘Unbreakable:’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a26xp28jm0

The team at Journey Film have done some great films, I would also recommend their film on Dean Karnazes’s ‘Ultramarathon Man’, his challenge of completing 50 marathons, 50 states, 50 days across America.

3. 52 Peaks

A year long running adventure by Matthew Dickinson running 52 Peaks across New Zealand. Spectacular scenery! I have never been to New Zealand but this definitely inspires planning a trip there in the future. A film by Matthew Dickinson.

https://vimeo.com/110621927

4. The Ultimate Trail

Philippe and Anna Gatta share their amazing ‪trail running‬‬‬ journey along Great Himalaya Trail. They undertake the equivalent of running 40 marathons in 40 days with 15 passes over 5,000 metres and two over 6,000metres. The story and scenery are mesmerising. A film by Philippe and Anna Gatta.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prr4Wbulw0I

5. The Road to 135

This short film follows ultrarunner Josh Spector as he prepares for what is known as the toughest footrace in the world, the iconic Badwater 135. It is a gruelling 135 miles through Death Valley in the hottest times of the year. The film is presented by Tailwind Nutrition.

https://youtu.be/XNix0WUjZr4

6. More Than A Race

More Than A Race follows the 100-kilometre journey of some of the world’s best ultra runners in the 2014 Vibram Hong Kong 100.  As someone who has never been to Hong Kong this film definitely enticing me to visit the city and explore the trails beyond the city amazing skyline.  A film by Lloyd Belcher.

https://vimeo.com/93351560

7. Barkley 100

This short film showcase one of the world’s most challenging running races, The Barkley Marathons. This 100-mile race with 60-hour cut off time push athletes to their limits as they climb an elevation gain comparable to two treks up Mt. Everest. In almost thirty years, only fourteen runners, out of over one thousand runner, have completed The Barkley. A film by Brendan Young

https://vimeo.com/97270099

8. Why We Run

Salomon have created great trail running TV series and I would highly recommend checking out any episodes but the one I have chosen showcases the simplicity of enjoying the outdoors and running featuring Bernd Heinrich whom is a retired Professor living in a log cabin in the forests of Western Maine. Bernd has been an extremely accomplished runner throughout his life and this episode highlights lessons learned about life and from running. A film by Salomon Running.

http://youtu.be/zn6k3gXCszE

9. Desert Runners

This film follows a group of ordinary people as try to complete 4 multi stage races in one calendar year in the 4 most extreme landscapes in the world. The races are undertaken in the four deserts known to be the driest, windiest, hottest and coldest places on Earth.
The film is an emotionally charged journey as each competitor faces the physical and mental challenges of racing and shares their remarkable stories as they try to achieve the extraordinary.  A film by Jennifer Steinman.

www.desertrunnersmovie.com

10. Finding Traction

This film follows Ultra runner, Nikki Kimball, a 3 time Western States 100 winner and 2014 Marathon Des Sables winner, undertaking her definitive test of attempting to set new record for the fastest time across the US state of Vermont’s famous 273 mile Long Trail. The film offers a great insight into Nikki and her crew’s preparation for the journey and highlights the physical and mental challenges faced whilst wishing to inspire people to be more active and enjoy the outdoors and encouraging women and girls to follow their sporting pursuits. A film by Jaime Jacobsen

http://findingtractionfilm.com/

What is your favourite trail running film?

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Film Review - Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour

Film Review and Q&A with Richard Bowles - Running the 1,200km Heysen Trail

Film Review - Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour

I recently had the opportunity to attend an International screening of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour.

A pre-selection committee shortlist the over 360 entries to almost 80 finalists to screen at the Banff Mountain Film Festival each October in Banff, Canada. The Banff Mountain Film Festival started in 1976 by The Banff Centre.

This year’s world tour selection showcased over 2 hours of moving films from picturesque landscapes to action-packed sports and included 2 of the festival’s award winning films, Delta Dawn, Best Short Mountain Film and Cerro Torre, winner of Best Climbing Film.

The films ranged from the thought provoking with Delta Dawn telling the story of one man’s adventure on his stand-up board and travelled to the Colorado River Delta to explore use of Western water and the possible for environmental restoration to the joy and cheeky story of flight with Touch, a paragliding film over the Santorini, Greece and the French Alps, to the love of a man’s best friend in Sun Dog.

Return of the Tepuis, follows a 71 year old scientist search for a rare frog in the deep crevices in remote South America.

The most controversial film was the award winning, Cerro Torre, set against the backdrop of breathtaking Patagonia. David Lama, a climbing prodigy, plans to climb the infamous south-east face of Cerro Torre. No one has ever free climbed this section known as the Compressor Route. In 2009, he declared to the world his intent to free climb Cerro Torre, an accomplishment widely considered impossible. In 2010, Lama, now a sponsored climber, naively permitted his film crew to drill and fix 30 or so new bolts into the rock face, even though they planned to remove them and they were to facilitate filming only. This caused much controversy in climbers' circles, as his actions are unethical according to climbing traditionalists.

My favourite film at this year’s screening was a simple tale, Sculptured in Time: The Wise Man. The story of Eddie Hunter, an 88 year old who has skied over 2,500 days during the past 79 years and his love of skiing and sharing the enjoyment with future generations.

The World Tour screenings provide a great sample of the films selected each year and I walked away with a sense of wonder, inspired, challenged to improve and with a smile on my face from the joy the film makers shared in their individual adventures.

Find out more about the Banff Mountain Film Festival and International World Tour.

Related Reading

Film Review and Q&A with Richard Bowles - Running the 1,200km Heysen Trail

10 Must Watch Trail Running Films

Hiking on the trail: Wilson’s Promontory

I recently had the opportunity to go back to Wilson’s Prom, affectionately known as The Prom. The last time I visited the Prom was many years ago when I was a teenager on a family holiday.

The Prom is one of Victoria’s most-loved destinations. Wilson’s Prom is situated at the southernmost tip of mainland Australia; it offers mesmerising scenery of vast granite mountains, forests, endless beaches and coastlines.

After a catch up with a couple of mates and my sister we decided we would undertake East Prom Coastal overnight hike.

An early start on a chilling Autumn Saturday morning and it was drizzling rain on our drive to Wilsons Promontory but it started to clear as we arrived at Tidal River.

Once we arrived at Tidal River we caught the courtesy bus to Telegraph Saddle Car Park where we commenced our hike mid-morning. The first part is a steady climb to Windy Saddle where we saw the restoration of some sections which had been washed away from previous flash flooding in 2011 and then we headed downhill through a scenic landscape and across the boardwalk over Sealers Swamp and arriving at Sealers Cove. It is important to check the tide times so you avoid a deep water crossing here, fortunately we arrived just after low tide so was an easy crossing! We stopped here at Sealers Cove for a short lunch break.

Sealers Cove

View back towards Sealers Cove

Then heading up along the ridge and enjoyed many stunning views as we continued our walk to Refuge Cove.

Refuse Cove, Wilsons Promontory

The next section was the most challenging of our hike where we encountered a steep rocky 2km+ climb to Kersops Peak, but we are rewarded with spectacular views. Our pace slowed in the last 4kms as we travelled along the coastline to our camp at Little Waterloo Bay. It was a long but very rewarding day of hiking 23.6km for the day.

Beach near Little Waterloo Bay Wilsons Promontory

The next morning we walked along the beach and then headed inland across the sand dunes back to the Telegraph Track before heading back to Telegraph Saddle Car Park. The circuit is 35.5km in total.

There are so many day and overnight hiking possibilities at Wilsons Promontory, and I would highly recommend it as it is one of the most spectacular places to enjoy nature’s beauty in Australia.

Lagoon at Wilsons Promontory

For more information about hiking at The Prom click here

Race Report: The Great Rail Run

I was excited but a bit anxious about my first race of the year on Sunday. I had not raced since The North Face 50km in May last year due to ongoing foot problems. Therefore I took the approach to the race like I would first and foremost focus on enjoying the experience.

When choosing races, I like to pick different distances and locations for the majority of races I do and The Great Rail Run was no exception, I had not run down along the Bellarine Peninsula previously.

The Great Rail Run is a picturesque run along the Bellarine Rail Trail a 17km traverse between Queenscliff Railway Station to Drysdale Railway Station. The challenge for runners is to beat the steam train to Drysdale.

The conditions on the day were cool and overcast, perfect running conditions I say! The race route navigates through farmland and local native vegetation along the rail trail across the Bellarine Peninsula.

In the run I focused on consistent form and speed throughout the run with the course being a slight gradual incline all the way to Drysdale Railway Station.

I was happy with how my race went and learnt I need to focus and build some more speed sessions in my training to have some added kick during and in the later stages of the race.

I will definitely heading back to do some training or racing along the Bellarine Peninsula, a beautiful spot to race.

I didn’t beat the steam train but was a fun experience nonetheless.

Tips for staying motivated when injured or unable to run

Unfortunately we have all been in this situation. You’re training is going well and preparing for some upcoming races and we get thrown a curve ball and we get injured or sick.

The past 9 months have been a frustrating period for me, I have been struggling with a unknown left foot injury and despite many doctor appointments, scans, cortisone injections it is still unknown the cause of the pain in my foot. I have tried multiple different approaches including rest with no running (stopped running for over 2 months), rehab exercises, massage and physio. It has been a really challenging time especially for someone who likes to be on the go all the time!

I guess what doesn’t kill you can make you stronger and it is a reminder these things are a way of testing you and to not take the ability or the joy of running for granted.

This has given me a great opportunity to re-evaluate things and I hope I can offer you some suggestions and encouragement should you be faced with a similar situation.

Here are some tips to stay motivated when injured or unable to run.

New opportunities arise

With less time specifically dedicated to running, it has provided more time to spend with family and friends and all the important things I cherise. It has also provide me the opportunity to explore new activities, I have started both pilates and yoga this year and have already started to see some improvements including increased strength, presence of mind and improved sleep.

Learn from it

Find out what was the cause of the injury and learn from the experience to help strengthen and balance your body to become a better runner. Being proactive will keep you motivated and positive. You might also like to seek out others who have encountered the same injury and see if there is an new approaches you can take to assist and improve your injury.

Don’t focus on the negative  

It’s a good idea to remember you are not running due a specific reason, by being sick or injured. So despite it being frustrating, take the time to allow your body to recover. Subject to your doctor’s recommendations you might be able to try some new or alternative activities like swimming or cycling to keep active.

Set some new goals

It may be challenging to start with especially when you lose your level of fitness but when getting back into training to keep you motivated it’s good to set some goals and maybe pick a race or two to build up for in the coming months once back training.