Top 10 Must Watch Ultra Marathon Documentaries
Looking for ultra running inspiration! We list the top 10 must-watch ultra marathon documentaries, from the Life in a Day documentary to Project Iceman, plus some lesser known gems.
A good ultramarathon film can provide the final bit of motivation you need to take your first leap into life past the 26-mile marker. They provide inspiration, advice, and show the true reality of what it takes to run an ultra. Or if you’re anything like me, a film nerd who spends more time watching running than doing it, these films also provide endless entertainment.
Ultra X Jordan 2023 – Full Race Documentary
This film shows the epic adventure that is Ultra X Jordan. Taking place in the mythical Wadi Rum, this is the race that started the Ultra X brand – now a global ultramarathon series. The 2023 edition of this race was particularly special, with a slight change to the course from previous years on the 5th and final day that led to some of the best desertscapes you will ever see. The best part about this film (and race) is the diverse mix of people who complete it; from professional ultrarunners to those who have never run further than a 10km before signing up to this insane 5 day, 220km desert adventure.
Produced by: Ultra X / Ben Kent
Released: November 23rd, 2023
THE CHASE: Cocodona 250 Full Documentary
This documentary follows the 2024 Cocodona 250, a 250-mile ultramarathon across the brutal and varied landscapes of Arizona. Starting in Black Canyon City and finishing in Flagstaff, the race pushes runners through desert heat, rugged trails, extreme elevation gain, and severe sleep deprivation. “THE CHASE” does an excellent job of showing the relentless nature of multi-day ultrarunning, with raw, honest footage of athletes breaking down and rebuilding themselves mile after mile. It captures both elite competition and the deeply human struggle of simply continuing to move forward when everything hurts.
Produced by: Aravaipa Running
Released: March 2024
The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young
A race that holds legendary status and has been completed just 21 times by 17 different runners in 37 years. This documentary, which featured on Netflix and Prime Video, tells the story of the 2014 race, offering a fascinating insight into the quirks and dark humour of this brutal, unmarked trail race thought by many to be the toughest in the World.
Produced by: Annika Iltis, Timothy James Kane
Released: 26 October 2014
Moab 240 Documentary | Mind Over Miles
This 34-minute documentary gives a personal insight into the world of ultrarunning with one of the best in the game, Sally McRae. The film follows her attempt at completing the brutal Moab 240 (mile) race, the last of her Grand Slam of 200’s. This film captures the culmination of a year’s worth of racing and a lifetime of training. There’re tears, blisters, vomit, snow, high winds, and a whole load of grit and determination as Sally puts her body through the extreme. Sally crosses the line in 1st place, winning the Triple crown of 200’s, and completing the Grand Slam, the only woman to claim this title in 2023, and in the fastest total time of all time. This is about as real as it gets.
Produced by: Drew B Darby and Tyler McCain
Released: December 30th, 2023
Conquering Mont-Blanc: The Path to UTMB
This official UTMB documentary provides an inside look at the most prestigious ultramarathon in the world: the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc. Following elite runners as they prepare for and race around the Mont-Blanc massif, the film highlights the immense pressure, expectation, and sacrifice that comes with competing at the very top of the sport. Stunning Alpine cinematography combines with intimate interviews to show not just the beauty of the course, but the physical and mental toll of racing 170km with over 10,000m of elevation gain.
Produced by: UTMB Group
Released: December 2022
LIFE IN A DAY | The Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run
One of many brilliant films by Billy Yang, this follows the journeys of four incredible women as they battle for the top spots at the 2016 Western States 100 Mile Endurance Race. Packed with drama and emotion, this is thrilling throughout the entire 1-hour watch time.
Produced by: Billy Yang
Released: Mar 9, 2017
Badwater 135: A documentary
This is a real human story. It follows Peloton instructor Susie Chan, who’s every bit as human as the rest of us…or so it seems. Not a professional ultrarunner by trade, Susie speaks openly about the challenges of taking on an event of this magnitude at the age of 49. If you needed any scale to measure the size of her achievement, less people have completed the Badwater 135 (135miles non-stop from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, California) than have climbed Everest. By completing the 3 Badwater races in 2023, Susie became the first non-US resident to complete the Badwater Ultra Cup.
Produced by: Peloton
Released: January 24th, 2024
ONE MILE OUT | Official Documentary
ONE MILE OUT follows Chadd Wright’s journey running 250 miles through Northern Arizona in the 2023 Cocodona 250. This is a massively inspirational film, with powerful dialogue and great visual storytelling. It’ll definitely get you fired up for your next challenge, whatever that may be!
Produced by: Macademic Media
Released: July 2nd, 2023
The Source: Courtney Dauwalter Ultramarathon Documentary
This film dives into the mindset and motivations of Courtney Dauwalter, widely regarded as the greatest ultrarunner of all time. Rather than focusing on hype or ego, The Source explores why Courtney chooses to suffer through extreme distances and conditions, offering a rare glimpse into the psychology of elite ultrarunning. Featuring race footage, training moments, and reflective interviews, this documentary shows how joy, curiosity, and resilience can coexist with some of the hardest endurance challenges on the planet.
Produced by: Salomon / Film My Run
Released: 2023
Ultra X Tanzania 2023 – Full Race Film
Another epic film by Ultra X – This shows their first ever race in Africa, Ultra X Tanzania. Similarly, to Ultra X Jordan, this was a 5 day, 220km race, but this one took competitors halfway up the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro. Runners encountered jungle, savannah, wildlife, all whilst being cheered on by local villages and their fellow runners. This race creates an intimate connection between competitors, and the film captures this beautifully, with stunning landscapes and cinematography.
Produced by: Ultra X / Fred Voigt
Released: August 9th, 2023