Marathon Challenge

Oct 2, 2022 | Sports, Videos

In this documentary NOVA traces the lifestyle and an extensive fitness regime that 13 generally sedentary people with ages ranging from 22 to 60 and coming from various backgrounds and with a wide range of medical histories undergo along with good mentoring, strict discipline and oodles of support from their group, to take part in a 26.2 miles marathon race that tests the stamina and endurance level of even the most seasoned runners.

NOVA was granted unrestricted access to the 111th Boston Marathon® by the Boston Athletic Association®, and full cooperation by Tufts University.

This documentary gives a unique insight into how exercise brings about a one-of-a-kind of physiological as well as mental transformation in the people who had never run a marathon before.

Runners are given unending support and advice by former Olympian and three-time Boston Marathon winner Uta Pippig and mentoring and guidance by Donald Megerle, a veteran Tufts University coach.

The team includes 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; 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; 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 Betsey, a hospital administrator who became substantially overweight while recovering from surgery; 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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