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IMDbPro

Free to Run

  • 20162016
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
368
YOUR RATING
Free to Run (2016)
Trailer for Free to Run
Play trailer1:33
1 Video
9 Photos
DocumentaryHistorySport
Today, all anybody needs to run is the determination and a pair of the right shoes. But just fifty years ago, running was viewed almost exclusively as the domain of elite male athletes who c... Read allToday, all anybody needs to run is the determination and a pair of the right shoes. But just fifty years ago, running was viewed almost exclusively as the domain of elite male athletes who competed on tracks. With insight and propulsive energy, director Pierre Morath traces runni... Read allToday, all anybody needs to run is the determination and a pair of the right shoes. But just fifty years ago, running was viewed almost exclusively as the domain of elite male athletes who competed on tracks. With insight and propulsive energy, director Pierre Morath traces running�۪s rise to the 1960s, examining how the liberation movements and newfound ... Read all
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
368
YOUR RATING
    • Pierre Morath
  • Stars
    • Denis Alcade
    • Neil Amdur(archive footage)
    • Gaby Andersen-Schiess(archive footage)
    • Pierre Morath
  • Stars
    • Denis Alcade
    • Neil Amdur(archive footage)
    • Gaby Andersen-Schiess(archive footage)
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1User review
    • 73Critic reviews
    • 54Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Free to Run
    Trailer 1:33
    Watch Free to Run

    Photos9

    Free to Run (2016)
    Free to Run (2016)
    Kathrine Switzer and Arnie Briggs in Free to Run (2016)
    Steve Prefontaine in Free to Run (2016)
    Jock Semple, Kathrine Switzer, and Arnie Briggs in Free to Run (2016)
    Free to Run (2016)
    Kathrine Switzer in Free to Run (2016)
    Free to Run (2016)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Denis Alcade
    Denis Alcade
    • Self - First Winner of Marvejols-Mende
    Neil Amdur
    Neil Amdur
    • Self - Sports Editor, New York Times
    • (archive footage)
    Gaby Andersen-Schiess
    Gaby Andersen-Schiess
    • Self - Marathon Runner
    • (archive footage)
    Gloria Averbuch
    Gloria Averbuch
    • Self
    Joan Benoit
    Joan Benoit
    • Self
    Michael Bloomberg
    Michael Bloomberg
    • Self - Mayor of New York City
    Arnie Briggs
    Arnie Briggs
    • Self - Running Coach, Syracuse University
    • (archive footage)
    Tom Brokaw
    Tom Brokaw
    • Self - NBC News Journalist
    • (archive footage)
    John Chancellor
    John Chancellor
    • Self - NBC News Journalist
    • (archive footage)
    Jean-Noël Clavére
    Jean-Noël Clavére
    • Self - Spiridon France
    Pamela Cooper
    Pamela Cooper
    • Self - Historian and Runner
    Nelson Farris
    Nelson Farris
    • Self - Senior Director, Nike
    Jim Fixx
    Jim Fixx
    • Self - Author, of The Complete Book of Running
    • (archive footage)
    Bobbi Gibb
    Bobbi Gibb
    • Self
    John Gillespie
    John Gillespie
    • Self - Track Coach at South Eugene High School
    Joe Henderson
    Joe Henderson
    • Self - Former Chief Editor, Runner's World
    John Henderson
    • Self
    George Hirsch
    George Hirsch
    • Self - Chairman, Board of Directors , New York Road Runners
      • Pierre Morath
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Around 14 minutes into the film, the person doing the voice over says the marathon distance is 26.4 miles when it's actually 26.2 miles.

    User reviews1

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    Run for you
    Greetings again from the darkness. Director Pierre Morath seemingly had three good ideas for a movie: a history of long-distance running, the fight and final acceptance of women into the sport, and an analysis of holistic running vs. competitive running. Any of the topics would make a solid documentary, but when combined, the result is a bit of a hodgepodge that is still interesting and informative.

    All of the familiar names are present: Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, Jim Fixx, Steve Prefontaine and Joan Benoit . However, it's Fred Lebow and Karen Switzer who prove to be the most compelling figures. In 1967, Ms. Switzer was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon, and you've probably seen the iconic photo of some guy trying to forcibly remove her from the race. It's pointed out that at the time, women still didn't have the right to vote in Switzerland – an effective means of showing that women were still fighting for basic equality. Mr. Lebow founded the New York Runners Club and was instrumental in moving the NY Marathon from The Bronx to Central Park. He was a marketing man and promoter at heart, and was a key figure in expanding the popularity of distance running.

    It was 1984, before the Women's Marathon became an official Olympic sport, the coverage of Ms. Benoit's win is compared to women winning the right to vote. It's also noted (somewhat facetiously) that "it's the first time women are allowed to be exhausted in public".

    Perhaps the most interesting pieces of this running puzzle focus on the "free your mind" aspect of running that stands in stark opposition to the mega-corporate effects of Nike (and other corporations) on running events. Corporate sponsorships and vast sums of money created a global network of high-profile and finely-tuned runners, while the inner peace attained from running allowed the activity (rather than the sport) to continue to grow in acceptance from those looking to escape some of the day-to-day stresses of life.

    The "dark side" of the sport reared its head in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy left destruction in the path of where the NYC Marathon (50,000 runners) was to be held. With the big money at stake, some poor decisions were made as citizens throughout the area were without power, clean water and even shelter.

    Admittedly, distance runners can often be described as "oddballs", and though it only takes a pair of sneakers and some shorts to "go for a run", it's the corporate sponsorships that make it big business … but at least now, women are right there with the men – whether it's a big city marathon or a jog through the park.
    helpful•8
    6
    • ferguson-6
    • Jul 14, 2016

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 15, 2016 (United States)
      • Switzerland
      • France
      • Belgium
    • Official sites
      • Belgian co-production's official site
      • Belgian distribution's official site
      • French
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Production companies
      • Point Prod
      • Yuzu Productions
      • Eklektik Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 30 minutes
      • Color

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