Best running movies of all time
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Ok, so I’m no film buff but I am a runner so I think that qualifies me to rank the best running movies that I’ve seen. So here they are, the best running movies, in order of my favorites:
1. Prefontaine: There were a couple movies about Steve Prefontaine in the late 1990s but for my money it doesn’t get any better than Jared Leto’s performance in 1997’s Prefontaine. The story of this incredible runner is nothing short of inspirational even for non-runners and the faux-documentary style gives the film a flavor of authenticity that few films can match without being cheesy. Watch this one before a big race or a long training run and you’ll be jogging on air.
2. Run Fat Boy, Run: This is a new film and I honestly just saw it for the first time this weekend. While it’s a fictional story and a romantic comedy to boot, it’s actually a pretty good running movie. Chock full of lessons about never giving up, trying new things (i.e. running), and the health and psychological benefits of an active lifestyle, this movie does the running community proud. Er, except for that Whit character, he’s a bit of a jerk. 😉
3. Chariots of Fire: I’d certainly be remiss if I didn’t list this as one of the top running movies of all time, though I’ve never been a big fan of the film myself. The film did introduce us to the theme song of running montages for years to come and today the Chariots of Fire ringtone is all the rage with runners young and old alike. Seriously though, the movie is a bit slow but it’s centered around two British runners competing in the 1924 Olympics and offers up plenty of drama points. If you’re looking for a movie to pump you up, this probably isn’t the one (unless you put the soundtrack on repeat on your iPod).
Other running movies on my to-view list: Four Minutes (about the quest to break the 4-minute mile barrier) and of course Spirit of the Marathon (in my Netflix queue as we speak). Anyone have any other suggestions?