Marathon Challenge

2007, Sports  -   13 Comments
7.33
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Ratings: 7.33/10 from 43 users.

Marathon ChallengeHow do you run 26.2 miles if you have trouble making it around the block? With good coach­ing, discipline, and lots of group support, as NOVA shows when it follows 13 generally sedentary people through a training regimen designed to prepare them for an ultimate test of stamina and endurance. Created in cooperation with the Boston Athletic Association®, which granted NOVA unprec­edented access to the 111th Boston Marathon®, and Tufts University, "Marathon Challenge" takes viewers on a unique adventure inside the human body, tracking the physiological changes that exercise can bring about.

Former Olympian and three-time Boston Marathon winner Uta Pippig offers advice and inspiration to NOVA's runners throughout their training. And veteran Tufts University coach Donald Megerle guides them week-by-week through an onslaught of physical and psychological challenges. NOVA's runners range in age from 22 to 60, and they come to the endeavor with a wide range of medical histories and backgrounds. They share one thing in common: none has ever run a marathon before.

Team NOVA includes Betsey, a hospital administrator who became substantially overweight while recovering from surgery; Jonathan, a hard-charging CEO and father of five whose marriage is breaking apart; Sama, a reformed smoker mourning the recent death of her mother to a hit-and-run driver; Larry, a social worker and 14-year survivor of a serious heart attack; Xenia, a woman turning 40 and struggling with being an "aging sedentary physician"; and Steve, a Harley-riding former NFL linebacker who sees the marathon as a novel challenge for someone used to running only a few yards before tackling an opponent.

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13 Comments / User Reviews

  1. Preet Sid

    How impressive! I've run multiple HM's and am now gearing up for a FM and this story is such a morale booster. Way to go Team Nova

  2. Ayas

    When you start running, please read and watch all you can on running technique and posture.. Do your research on running shoes to avoid injuries.

    Didn't feel like this film made any emphasis on this. Runners got injured first and foremost because of poor running form as shown in the video.

  3. nibin

    betsey was really impressive!!!hats off to her!!!

  4. Tim Rizzo

    'She has a sharp pain in her left foot that would later turn out to be a piece of glass.' Holy crap I almost died laughing.

  5. Justin Gregory

    I blubbed Like a baby at the end. And took notes the rest of the time. My first marathon is in two weeks.

  6. Shukri Deria

    I was so emotional that I started crying at the end. what a great documentary. Love It. Inspirational.

  7. Hamid Hafith

    Novel challenge:1-With good coach­ing.
    2- discipline.
    3- group support.
    anything can be dane

  8. nhk

    Beautiful =)

  9. Dave

    @ayesha
    Join me!
    We'll both do it,
    It will be fun!
    :)

  10. Dave

    I need to watch this, I want to prepare for Marathon!

  11. Ali Fadel

    I am person who runs marathon in morocco but the possibilities are absent in morocco to practice sport so the film is good, it gives me some ideas to love my sport.

  12. Dhamija

    Truely inspirational. I am planning to leave bodybuilding and start a running program this spring. I know its gonna be hard but I hope it goes well.

  13. ayesha

    I am INSPIRED!!!! What a great doc. It really takes you through the physical, mental and biochemical process of training for the big run. I can't wait to start training!