Movies About Running

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The Husband offered to make me breakfast this morning.  Score!

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He cooked up a simple egg and veggie scramble.

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Plus, two pieces of buttahed toast and a little bit of baked beans.

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This breakfast totally hit the spot!  Combined with the wonderful feeling of waking up in my own bed with my dogs for the first time in two weeks, I was in heaven this morning!  🙂

 

Movies About Running

 

I thought I’d make a list of my favorite movies about running!  I am going to rent one of these to watch on Friday night to get my friend Lauren and I pumped about running 26.2 miles on Sunday.  (All the synopsises are from Rotten Tomatoes).

 

Spirit of the Marathon

 

From three-time Academy Award winning filmmaker and Executive Producer Mark Jonathan Harris comes the first ever non-fiction feature film to capture the drama and essence of the famed 26.2 mile running event.  Filmed on four continents, Spirit of the Marathon brings together a diverse cast of amateur athletes and marathon luminaries. As six unique stories unfold, each runner prepares for and ultimately faces the challenge of the Chicago Marathon.

 

The trailer is SO inspirational – check it out!  “You triumph over the adversary, that’s what the marathon is all about.  And then you know there’s nothing in life that you can’t triumph over after that.”

 

Without Limits

 

This drama about American track star and hero Steve Prefontaine intelligently looks at the character of this oft mythologized athlete and features a fantastic performance by Donald Sutherland as Prefontaine’s trainer.

 

Without Limits is one of my absolutely favorite running movies! My friend Stef introduced me to it back in college (ironically, before I was a runner).

 

Run, Fat Boy, Run!

 

Five years after jilting his pregnant fiancée on their wedding day, out-of-shape Dennis decides to run a marathon to win her back.  More funny than inspirational, this movie explores issues such as bloody nipples and running with a hangover.

 

Chariots of Fire

 

An absorbing drama, based on a true story, deals with the personal struggles faced by two very different long-distance runners competing for Britain in the 1924 Paris Olympic Games.

Have you seen any of these movies?  Are there any other running movies I should see? What sports movies inspire you?

{ 102 comments }

 

  • Brie (The Fit Bride) January 6, 2010, 9:17 am

    Ooh, good suggestions. I’ve never seen any of these but I need something to add to my Netflix queue!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet January 6, 2010, 9:17 am

    I’ve only seen Chariots of Fire, but I LOVE sports movies. I really love Miracle, just because I’m a huge hockey fan. 🙂

  • Meghan@traveleatlove January 6, 2010, 9:19 am

    In high school our cross country team loved watching Prefontaine. Great story, though sad. I love Chariots of Fire too.

  • Kara (@ Kara's Marathon) January 6, 2010, 9:22 am

    Run For Your Life is an awesome documentary about Fred Lebow, the man who started the NYC Marathon in the 70s (the first race was a little over a hundred runners, all men, running a few loops in Central Park) and and made it the huge event and spectacle it is now. Really interesting!

    I also second the suggestion of Miracle, if you’re in the mood for a great, inspiring sports story 🙂

  • skinnyrunner January 6, 2010, 9:28 am

    i havent seen any of them but now i want to!

  • Olivia January 6, 2010, 9:32 am

    Thanks for posting these Caitlin! I can’t wait to watch them! Best of luck at Disney!!

  • Whitney @ Lettuce Love January 6, 2010, 9:35 am

    I would love to watch all of those movies! I don’t think I have ever seen a movie about running, except for Cool Runnings. I kid, I kid. Can’t wait to read your review 🙂

  • The Hot and Fit January 6, 2010, 9:35 am

    I claim to be a runner but have never actually seen a running movie…!

  • Matt January 6, 2010, 9:35 am

    Ultramarathon man is really good!

  • Danielle (Coffee Run) January 6, 2010, 9:36 am

    I haven’t seen any of these, but that’s such a good idea! Thanks for the inspiration

  • Nicole - Geek Turned Athlete January 6, 2010, 9:37 am

    Run, Fat Boy, Run is freakin’ hilarious!! I proudly own that movie, and if that list doesn’t get you motivated, I don’t know what will!!

  • megan January 6, 2010, 9:37 am

    I’ve seen chariots of fire, but that’s it. I love inspirational sports movies! they always make me want to go out and work hard! 🙂

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg January 6, 2010, 9:38 am

    Love movies about ANY athletics. So inspiring!! I’ve always wanted to see the movie Pre…but more because of my love for Jared Leto than anything else 🙂

    Looks like your hub made you a great breakfast!

  • Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers January 6, 2010, 9:38 am

    i love remember the titans! 🙂 a classic w/ an AMAZING soundtrack.

  • Casey @Spicy&Sweet January 6, 2010, 9:38 am

    I actually haven’t seen any of these! But would love to check them out. Sounds inspiring. 🙂

  • Melissa January 6, 2010, 9:40 am

    I haven’t seen any of these, but I’m definitely going to check them out!! Good luck this weekend!!!

  • Evan Thomas January 6, 2010, 9:41 am

    I haven’t seen any of them but I think I’ve heard the best of the last one.
    It’s not really inspiring but as a Bostonian I have to suggest Fever Pitch

  • Shannon (The Daily Balance) January 6, 2010, 9:42 am

    Run Fat Boy Run was pretty funny!

    SENDING SOME EARLY LUCK!! 😉

  • Morgan @ Life After Bagels January 6, 2010, 9:42 am

    I have not seen any of those movies. I just saw Invictus a few weeks ago and it was AWESOME. I used to play rugby so it was really cool. Plus Matt Damon is hot right 😉

  • Carolyn January 6, 2010, 9:43 am

    I’ve seen Run, Fat Boy, Run and it was pretty funny!

    P.S. I’m giving away a BUILT Neoprene Lunch Tote on my blog:http://lovinlosing.com/2010/01/05/giveaway-announcement/

  • Anna January 6, 2010, 9:44 am

    YOU HAVE TO WATCH SPIRIT OF THE MARATHON IT IS SOOOO GOOD!!!

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) January 6, 2010, 9:46 am

    What a great idea to get amped up for the marathon! Have fun:D

  • Rachel January 6, 2010, 9:49 am

    How nice of your husband to make you breakfast! I haven’t seen any of those films… :/

  • Lindsey @ Eat, Read, Run January 6, 2010, 9:49 am

    I love Without Limits! And Bill Crudup (sp) is so goodlooking. I have heard great things about Run, Fat Boy, Run though – it needs to go in my Netflix Queue. We used to watch Without Limits on the bus on the way to track meets (that were far away) in high school. To get us all “pumped up” I suppose.

  • Tracy January 6, 2010, 9:50 am

    Thanks for putting this list together! And I loved being able to read other people’s suggestions in the comments too. Even though I just started running, I’m super excited about the journey and where it will take me. 🙂

  • chandra January 6, 2010, 9:53 am

    I watched Run, Fat Boy, Run a few weeks before my marathon. It was totally unrealistic, but kinda funny. 🙂 It has a great representation of hitting/taking down “the wall” though!

    Good luck Sunday! I’m jealous, I wish I was running too!

  • Erin January 6, 2010, 9:54 am

    I love Run, Fat Boy, Run! Oh my, it almost made me pee myself with laughter. 😉 Breaking Away is about cycling but you might like it.

  • Leanne January 6, 2010, 9:56 am

    I love Prefontaine where Jared Leto plays the lead. I didn’t realize there were multiple movies about him? Now I need to see Without Limits.

  • Lizzy January 6, 2010, 9:57 am

    i’ve never seen any of these movies but i would totally watch one! these look great!

  • MelissaNibbles January 6, 2010, 9:58 am

    Run Fat Boy Run is one of me and my bf’s favorite movies. I love Simon Pegg!

  • Ellen Collis January 6, 2010, 9:59 am

    Ohh I’ve been wanting to see Run, Fatboy, Run! I looove English humor—Four Weddings and a Funeral is one of my favorite movies!

    http://www.firednfabulous.blogspot.com/

  • Jaimie January 6, 2010, 10:06 am

    I loved love loved Spirit of the Marathon. It made me tear up at least ten times. It’d be great to watch pre-marathon!

  • molly January 6, 2010, 10:06 am

    steve prefontaine is my hero- the movie Prefontaine is good too. I’ve also seen the doc about the chicago marathon & loved it.

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite January 6, 2010, 10:12 am

    I’ve seen Chariots of Fire and Run Fat Boy Run.

    Love watching inspirational movies!

  • Jenny January 6, 2010, 10:17 am

    Remember the Titans is amazing. Loved Run, Fat Boy, Run- Simon Pegg cracks me up no matter what movie he’s in. And now I have that Chariots of Fire song stuck in my head!

  • Island Girl Eats January 6, 2010, 10:18 am

    I have watched The Spirit of the Marathon and Run Fat Boy Run. I think that I might rent one today to get myself psyched for Disney on Sunday. Have you seen the forecast for Sunday? Holy crap! I think that I might freeze to death!

    Good luck for Sunday!

  • Amanda January 6, 2010, 10:20 am

    I love Spirit of the Marathon, it is definitely inspirational. I haven’t seen any of the others you posted. I personally loved UltraMarathon Man. I watched it a few days ago and it was so motivating. I think you should definitely check it out. I actually just posted a blog about it yesterday. Great minds I guess 🙂

  • Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life January 6, 2010, 10:22 am

    Breakfast looks tasty! I haven’t had eggs in forever!

  • Aynsley - WrenLife.com January 6, 2010, 10:26 am

    Hey there are some other great ones I’ve heard about:

    Running the Sahara
    http://www.runningthesahara.com/about.html

    Dean Karnazes – Ultra Marathon Man
    http://www.journeyfilm.com/deankarnazes/

  • claudia January 6, 2010, 10:26 am

    ah, run, fat boy run is AWESOME! i abosultely loved this movie…

  • Katharine January 6, 2010, 10:27 am

    Thanks for posting these! I just signed up for my first 5k ever (I am not a runner!) and need something inspiring to boost my confidence!

    • Caitlin January 6, 2010, 10:29 am

      you are officially a runner if you’re training for a race 🙂

      • Katharine January 6, 2010, 10:31 am

        Well thank you! We’ll see – I have to finish first!

  • Angharad January 6, 2010, 10:28 am

    I just got all caught up on your England trip! I miss it so much it made me totally homesick! Loved that you got to travel to a few different spots though and didn’t just stick to London. I’m hoping to get back this spring, fingers crossed!

  • Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen January 6, 2010, 10:29 am

    i’ve seen spirit of the marathon…totally cried like a baby too 🙂 i love really any sports movie that shows people overcoming huge obstacles (i.e. running 26.2 miles).

    hope you have a great day today 🙂

  • Leah @ L4L January 6, 2010, 10:34 am

    I love love LOVE sports movies. Like 99% of them. I can’t recall any running movies though… unless Forrest Gump counts? Run, Fat Boy, Run is in my Netflix queue though because a friend recommended it. Might have to bump it to the top. 😉

  • Jennifer January 6, 2010, 10:34 am

    Bride Wars! They run…a little.

  • Jessie January 6, 2010, 10:36 am

    Saint Ralph is one of my all-time favorites movies and definitely the best running movie I’ve seen. It’s about a boy determined to run the Boston Marathon to help his mother who is very ill. You can read about it here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384488/plotsummary

  • Katie January 6, 2010, 10:38 am

    What a great idea to watch these to get you inspired for Sunday! I haven’t seen any of them but they all look great. I love all sports movies for some reason, like We Are Marshall, Coach Carter, Remember the Titans…

  • Lee January 6, 2010, 10:38 am

    I rented something from Netflix called Marathon Challenge. It was a NOVA documentary.

  • Rose January 6, 2010, 10:43 am

    That is one beautiful breakfast! A+ to your husband!

  • Freya @ foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com January 6, 2010, 10:44 am

    What a great husband you have, you’re so lucky!
    That’s a good idea to watch some running films – I haven’t heard of any of them apart from Run, Fat Boy, Run, but apparently it’s really good! It has Ross from Friends in it randomly 🙂
    I always used to watch youtube videos of my favourite dressage riders before competitions, it helped I reckon 🙂

  • emily January 6, 2010, 10:48 am

    I feel that I have to qualify this answer with the fact that I am being serious and not making a joke, but “Stick It.” Watching the amazing tricks revs me up and makes me want to bounce around.

  • Beth @ DiningAndDishing January 6, 2010, 10:55 am

    That Run Fatboy Run movie looks really good! I will need to add that to my Netflix :). Your marathon is soooo close now! Eek!

  • RhodeyGirl January 6, 2010, 10:56 am

    What an awesome breakfast!

    I haven’t seen any of these movies! I need to see them! I am SO nervous for Saturday!!!

  • RunToTheFinish January 6, 2010, 11:02 am

    I still haven’t seen Chariots of Fire and I’m starting to think I might get kicked out of the runners club for not having seen it!

  • Christy January 6, 2010, 11:09 am

    Wow those movies look good! I’ve never heard of any of them.. The Spirit of The Marathon looks awesome!

  • Ali @ Food, Fitness, Fashion January 6, 2010, 11:17 am

    I had no idea there were some many movies about running! Now I want to see them all!

  • tracey January 6, 2010, 11:20 am

    I LOVE the movie Without Limits. If I remember correctly 2 movies were made about this amazing runner. Can’t remember the name of the other one.

  • Mary (Food Fit & Fun) January 6, 2010, 11:23 am

    That was so nice of your husband to make you a delicious breakfast!

    I have never seen Spirit of a Marathon, but after viewing that trailor I definitely have to see it. I love that quote you pulled out from it.
    I recently watched Run Fat Boy Run during one of my treadmill workouts this winter and I have to say it was pretty entertaining. haha. But I’m not quite sure it would put me in the right mindset for running a marathon.

    Before the Philadelphia Marathon, my sister and I watched Rocky…it was actually pretty late the night before so we had to fast-forward it to the part where he ran up the art museum stairs and pumped his arms. haha. Let me tell you, that was inspirational. I still think about it.

  • Mara @ What's For Dinner? January 6, 2010, 11:27 am

    There’s a movie about Steve Prefontaine with Jared Leto that was pretty fantastic… I think it was called “Prefontaine” but I could be wrong!

  • Cinemarie January 6, 2010, 11:28 am

    Forest Gump LOL
    Best of Luck on Sunday!!! Bonne Chance!! 🙂

  • Sammi January 6, 2010, 11:30 am

    I’ve never watched a running movie but I really want to! I’ve heard of Steve Prefontaine before but I had never really looked him up or anything that like. It looks like such a great story though. I’m not surprised it’s your favorite!
    Hahahaha! I love that part in Run, Fat Boy, Run that says “and he runs marathons” “Why?” (I’m writing this comment as I watch the videos if you can’t tell already lol)
    I wonder if the movie gallery in town has any of those movies. I really want to go have a movie marathon of running marathon movies now lol.

    As for sports movies I love, all of the ones I’ve seen. I’m not picky when it comes to movies at all and sports movies are especially wonderful and empowering. It’s kind of weird that I like sports movies though because I’ve never been one to like playing sports (until I discovered my love for running and swimming!)

  • maggie January 6, 2010, 11:34 am

    Sometimes savory breakfast hits the spot! Delicious 🙂

    Maggie

  • Kelly January 6, 2010, 11:50 am

    My favorite sports movie is Remember The Titans (even though it doesn’t have anything to do with running!)

  • Kalli@fitandfortysomething January 6, 2010, 11:55 am

    Have you seen Ultra Marathon Man? It is very motivational! have not seen Run Fat Boy Run yet-may have too!

  • Ann K January 6, 2010, 11:55 am

    RUN FAT BOY, RUN
    RUN FAT BOY, RUN
    RUN FAT BOY, RUN
    Did I get your attention? I’m sure you and the hubby have a fond affinity for brittish humor ( I love Dylan Moran) and this movie will be both inspiring and hilarious! I hope you see this and enjoy Run Fat Boy, Run

  • Julie January 6, 2010, 11:59 am

    I love Remember the titans and D2 mighty ducks. USA all the way!

  • Jenny @ nutmegger January 6, 2010, 12:27 pm

    Forest Gump!! You’ll keep running and running

  • Melissa January 6, 2010, 12:35 pm

    My brother and I had this conversation last night and talked about the movie Prefontaine because of my LOVE for Jared Leto and the fact that this movie made me cry like a baby. That and the movie The Pistol were such tear jerkers!!

  • Vicki January 6, 2010, 12:42 pm

    I love “Without Limits” but I haven’t seen any of the others.

    Sweet hubby for making you breakfast.

  • Kelly January 6, 2010, 12:47 pm

    The Spirit of the Marathon was a great documentary. I was actually crying at the end! GAH! I haven’t tackled a full yet, and don’t want to rule it out but it’s time consuming!!! Good luck to you, I’ve been following your training….you’ll do great!

  • Carrie H January 6, 2010, 12:49 pm

    I haven’t seen any of these yet … gotta convince my husband to watch them with me one day.
    Caitlin, have you read “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall? It is SO good. I’m not done yet, but I’m close and I just started it a day or two ago. Once I start reading, it’s hard to put down!

    • Caitlin January 6, 2010, 1:17 pm

      i havent read that! I need to read more running books – there are a lot of good ones!

      • Jess January 7, 2010, 3:56 am

        I second the motion. That book completely changed how I think about running and where I want to go with it. So amazing.

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat January 6, 2010, 1:03 pm

    I have only seen “Run Fatboy Run” which is too funny. I did have to confirm for my husband the icky truth of bloody nipples.

    Some of my favorite sports/inspirational movies are Mystery Alaska, Dodgeball (haha), and (don’t laugh) Blue Crush. I do love Remember the Titans but everyone else wrote that too 😉

    Looks like I have some more movies I need to check out. I’m running a half marathon in April!

  • Brooke January 6, 2010, 1:06 pm

    1) Spirit of the Marathon is amazing!!! I was obsessed with it! SUPER inspirational!

    2) IT’S FREE ON HULU! http://www.hulu.com/watch/85354/spirit-of-the-marathon

    3) WOOO good luck!!

  • Joelle (The Pancake Girl) January 6, 2010, 1:06 pm

    I want to watch that Sprit of the Marathon one.. inspiring!

  • Betty January 6, 2010, 1:06 pm

    Run fatboy Run is my favorite. I love it. I make everyone watch it…haha. Spirit of a Marathon is also very good. Another good one that I would recommend is “Marathon Challenge”

  • Dee January 6, 2010, 1:21 pm

    The first three Rocky movies pump me up completely for a big race. There’s some superb running sequences in these and he has the best knee drive and running form. Very inspirational and gives me The Eye of the Tiger, without a doubt. Good luck!

  • Maria January 6, 2010, 1:26 pm

    Without Limits is a wonderful, wonderful movie! I watched it back in high school and just recently watched it again-I highly recommend it. I haven’t seen the others, but now am looking forward to seeing them!

  • Jill Will Run January 6, 2010, 1:30 pm

    I have not seen Chariots of Fire, but your other picks are all my favorite running flicks. I think Run Fatboy Run is hilarious and reviewed that on my running blog a while ago, even though most of the time I would lean toward reviewing more “legit” running flicks!

    I like Without Limits a lot more than the Jared Leto Prefontaine movie, but it’s still decent.

  • emily January 6, 2010, 1:40 pm

    Run Fatboy Run is great, as mentioned above. I didn’t watch is from a runner’s viewpoint, but as a fan of Simon Pegg. He’s so funny!

  • lisa January 6, 2010, 1:45 pm

    Your breakfast looks delicious! I wish my husband would make me breakfast sometime during the week! We’re planning on making pecan pumpkin pancakes this weekend – can’t wait!

    I’ve only seen Chariots of Fire, and that was ages ago. I’ll have to check some of these out!

  • caronae January 6, 2010, 1:51 pm

    I’ve seen “Spirit of the Marathon” and “Prefontaine” (a different movie about him). Both are pretty good, but “Spirit of the Marathon” isn’t really captivating. You can actually find it on hulu!

  • Jenna January 6, 2010, 1:51 pm

    Yummy breaky!!

  • Angela (The Lady Loves to Eat) January 6, 2010, 1:52 pm

    Without limits is such a good movie! I live in Eugene, OR so we love prefontaine here of course! Every time I go to my nike store I have to look at all of his memorabilia and I love to run his trails on the bike path!

  • Heather January 6, 2010, 1:53 pm

    Across the Tracks with Brad Pitt and Ricky Schroeder. hehe. I’m not a Brad Pitt fan (anymore) but it was a good movie.

  • Jessica January 6, 2010, 2:01 pm

    Your hub is so sweet!! That breakfast sounds delicious–i need to fix up an egg scramble, soooon 🙂

  • Jill January 6, 2010, 2:09 pm

    There isn’t a feature film made about him yet, although there should be — Terry Fox. There was an early 80s TV movie (HBO?) about him and from what his Wikipedia page says there’s going to be an ESPN documentary about him released this year.

    If you don’t know who Terry Fox is, definitely Google him. You’ll be brought to tears by his inspirational story. I think of him each time I’m out running and want to quit early.

    I’d love to start a Terry Fox Run here in Pittsburgh!

  • Jenny January 6, 2010, 2:33 pm

    I have not seen any of those movies, but I’ve heard of the last two. To me, any movie about sports will have me inspired and teary-eyed by the end. I’ve always wanted to see Chariots of Fire, so I’d go with that one 🙂

  • Cassie @ A Very Busy Mind January 6, 2010, 5:40 pm

    I don’t have any sports movies to contribute, but I DO watch ESPN at the gym. Watching those athletes do their thing always pumps me up!

    P.S. I love that someone mentioned Forrest Gump. Hilarious.

  • Courtney January 6, 2010, 7:19 pm

    I just borrowed Without Limits from my aunt – it is SUCH a fabulous movie! :] Love this post!

  • Whitney January 6, 2010, 7:30 pm

    Running the Sahara. I have a copy on iTunes that I bought with a giftcard. I would totally send it to you if I knew how!! It’s amazing!

  • Nicole January 6, 2010, 9:10 pm

    I loved Run Fat Boy Run…but the music from Chariots of Fire is so inspirational. I’d watch Run Fat Boy Run just to calm my nerves because it’s really a funny movie.

  • MarathonVal January 6, 2010, 9:17 pm

    Spirit of the Marathon is soooooo inspiring!!! It will make you want to run the Chicago Marathon 🙂

  • Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place January 6, 2010, 9:22 pm

    Without Limits is good but PREFONTAINE is SO MUCH BETTER! it profiles his life better in my opinion and is far more enjoyable.
    check it out if you can!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) January 6, 2010, 10:29 pm

    I haven’t seen any of those movies!! Run Fat Boy Run sounds interesting 🙂

  • Jess January 7, 2010, 4:00 am

    I love pretty much all sports movies but haven’t yet seen many running ones.

    I have a Korean film called ‘Marathon’ based on the true story of a boy with autism who tries to run a sub-3hr marathon. It’s more of a drama than it is about running but I still found it inspiring. I have a bit of an obsession with Korean cinema.

  • Meredith January 7, 2010, 8:37 am

    Run for Your Life
    Running on the Sun
    Saint Ralph
    Running the Sahara
    50 Marathons in 50 Days (Dean Karnazes)

    …all very motivational and inspiring!

  • Erin @ Big Girl Eats January 8, 2010, 10:11 am

    I watched Spirit of the Marathon and cried the entire time. Seriously. And I’ve never run a marathon. It’s my dream goal. I think the crying is a good sign it’s something I should accomplish in my life 🙂

  • Erin @ Big Girl Eats January 8, 2010, 10:25 am

    I just watched to trailer again and teared up at my desk. Gah! I’m so excited for you!! Good luck this weekend!!!

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