At 143 miles and 5 levels lengthy, the Desert RATS 150 Mile is a unique type of ultramarathon. The stage race covers a number of the Moab, Utah, space’s most difficult paths — in scorching June warmth. As such, it requires a degree of grit and human endurance not usually witnessed by the common particular person.
The movie “A Lengthy Means From Nowhere” places that on full show. The movie showcases the souls who’ve the sap essential to run the equal of five-and-a-half consecutive marathons in southeastern Utah’s famously withering, early summer time climate.
“These individuals, they arrive out right here, they torture themselves, they’re pushing themselves to their bodily limits operating marathons back-to-back-to-back, right here on this warmth,” intones the voiceover within the movie’s opening minutes. “What about approaching these limits helps them attain what’s torn within them?”
What certainly. Filmmakers Paul Scheuring (“Jail Break”) and Chris Ward (“Like a Bigfoot“) met in 2018 whereas collaborating within the Desert RATS 150 Mile. They’re uniquely located to discover the race’s myriad challenges and ragtag runners.
“So many movies deal with the elite athletes, however we needed to indicate what was taking place within the again and center of the pack. Why individuals have been on the market doing this actually tough factor once they know they aren’t competing for the win,” Ward advised iRunFar. “What are they attempting to course of, and what classes do they take away from an expertise like this? What’s the interaction between these classes and their on a regular basis lives?”
Among the racers within the movie are:
- Phil Pinti, a father and three-time racer who exhibits up dressed as Macho Man Randy Savage
- Tim Barr, an inexperienced ultrarunner with doubts about his capacity to hack the course
- Amy Donaldson Brass and Mikie Pylilo, sisters who use the race as an opportunity to reconnect
- Sabrina White, a helicopter pilot/rafting information/climber/waitress/EMT/ski teacher who’s solely been operating since 2019
- Jason Comstock, a navy veteran who carries a big American flag in each race he tackles
Sisters Amy Donaldson Brass and Mikie Pylilo in the course of the Desert RATS 150 Mile. All photographs: The Audacious Report
Scheuring and Ward additionally flip their documentary lens towards Reid Delman, the race director.
“My job at this race is to create the toughest race doable. Bringing the warmth, bringing the altitude, bringing the elevation adjustments, bringing the mileage, make it so extremely tough,” the extravagantly bearded, imposingly constructed Delman says, with a touch of malicious twinkle in his eye.
“Struggling is an effective factor. It makes you are feeling alive. It brings you to that heart of who you’re. What you’re able to. If you happen to don’t undergo, you’ll by no means know what you’re able to,” he continues.
With “A Lengthy Means From Nowhere,” the filmmakers make one other addition to the canon of movies that discover ultrarunning’s extra madcap, Wild-West nooks and crannies. It’s a watch that’s equal components unbelievable and provoking. It definitely made me take into consideration signing up for the Desert RATS 150 Mile after which instantly second guess that thought. It’s that type of movie.
“With grit, willpower, a fair proportion of stubbornness, and the flexibility to endure the highs and lows, seemingly common people (who’re something however) can energy via no matter life throws at them,” Ward stated of the film. “That’s what ultrarunning is, and that’s the reason I like this sport a lot!”
Phil Pinti cruising downhill in the course of the Desert RATS 150 Mile.
