3100, Run and Become (2018) User Reviews

Essential, if sometimes eerie viewing for running curios

[fire-child · 8/10 · 25 March 2020]

As a 'standard' marathoner and ultramarathoner in the past, I really am inspired by seeing the words, thoughts and feelings of frankly some of the most incredible runners on the planet - the people who dare to take on a foot race longer than the Tour De France (and this race is virtually unknown in comparison to Le Tour).

Watching their growth through their hurt and struggle, and wonderfully, that of other runners in contrast too in this film is staggering - such as a Buddhist monk's long distance quest around a mountain, that seems even more impossible than the main race; and a man running a special ultra to pay homage to his father's heritage and past - is moving and touching, albeit eerie if trying to put yourself into these incredible people's shoes.

However, there's one thread of the film I found in quite bad taste in a way - and that's looking at an indigenous people in Africa that's looking to find a way to continue hunting, and struggling to carry on their way of life with it. This segment actually has little to do with running, and seems slotted in alongside the other segments of the film as the director's personal charity 'focus'.

I don't want to dismiss the struggles of these people and their relationship with their government (important as this is). However the filmmakers conveniently and irritatingly forget to mention that Sri Chimnoy and many of his disciples have been (and are) vegetarian or vegan. Nor is meat consumption and hunting part of many Buddhist sects.

There is a time and a place for exploring their plight for sure, but I didn't feel this was the right place for it. Or entirely respectful, given the Self Transcendence race's roots and ethos.

Still, overall this is well made, and a wonderful window and contribution into this world. Crisp cinematography as well, of some beautiful nature scenery too on the running trails, is a bonus.

3100 mind-bending miles

[nemifredner · 9/10 · 9 January 2019]

3100: Run and Become redefines the notion of impossibility. Almost anyone would think that running 60 miles a day for 52 days would destroy a human body. Yet, every steamy summer, an intrepid few undertake this journey on concrete pavement around an urban block in Queens, New York. The film documents the monumental effort of these runners as they dig deep within themselves, challenging mental barriers, fighting through pain, fatigue and the gamut of emotion. Parallel journeys of Japanese monks and Native American runners attest to the universality of the spiritual quest for self-transcendence. Clearly, most of us have not yet tapped into our ultimate potential; this film may encourage us to start.

Remarkable story

[water-reality · 9/10 · 14 January 2019]

An amazing exploration into one of longest races on the planet. Find out how humanity's search for a higher life has found expression through long distance running in different cultures, life styles and religions. This is a story of different people who share a common aspiration through the activity of running.

Awesome journey

[oneworld-292-598302 · 10/10 · 9 January 2019]

The 3100: Run and Become film is totally awesome and should be viewed by anyone who has run more than around the block. The film provides a multi-angle perspective on transcending your own limitations from four different cultural and national runners. Very intriguing and beautifully directed. Allows the viewer to identify with the inner motivations behind their awesome attempts and achievements. It illustrates the universal human impulse to connect with the deepest part of oneself and to express it in ways that push past the boundaries of the mind and body. Ten stars.

Wonderful film

[tmerdan · 10/10 · 13 January 2019]

Beautifully filmed and edited! Scenery was beautiful and the film was truly inspirational and the viewer feels the runners pain.

Amazingly inspiring for anyone who runs

[subarnamala · 10/10 · 13 January 2019]

I have seen this documentary in NY in 2018. It is absolutely inspiring! If you love running and you need something for your mind to go beyond your "walls", lets say 33 km in a marathon, watch this film and it will keep you going for a number of marathons in a row!

Nice stories, and great to see how many faces running can have.

I would love to be able to go and see (and perhaps hand out some drinks or count) at the 3100 Mile race when it is on in June - Aug!

A film worth having!

Touching and inspiring

[projjwal · 10/10 · 9 January 2019]

As a runner this movie shows that running can change you for the better. The incredible feats that humanity has achieved only through running - for survival, for self-discovery, for experiencing your inner self - are touching and inspiring. After the movie I just did put on my running shoes and went out for an inspiring run. Everyone who does or does not do sports has to see this movie!

just great

[patanga · 10/10 · 9 January 2019]

Showed the movie to many friends already. It makes you feel like a real human being, full of promise and potential.

Awesome exploration of the spirituality of ultrarunning

[abhinabha · 9/10 · 20 January 2019]

I've been a marathon runner almost all of my adult life. What drew me to the sport and has always kept me going for the past twenty years has mainly been the profound spiritual depth I found in the countless miles through forests, roads and parks. It's something that's rarely talked about among runners, mainly because it's so hard te define. This movie really unearths that innate spirituality of running long distances (really long distances!) And it does an amazing job of it, tapping into four different running cultures from the Navajo Native Americans to the Japanese monks of Mount Hiei to the modern-day heroes of the 3100 Mile Race. When your running needs an inspirational boost, go and watch this film! And do it quick, because it might be banned in the future as a performance enhancing drug.

Enlightening Entertainment

[arpanmail · 10/10 · 15 January 2019]

It is rare that such an entertaining movie can also provide a serious dose of enlightening reality. I usually prefer an enjoyable or entertaining movie based on reality, not fictional. When such a movie is produced in a way to also include the elements of a higher consciousness then it truly deserves the highest ranking.

On a more subjective note though, having run the 3100 mile race twice myself, I feel this movie powerfully and accurately captures the essence of the experience on both the physical and spiritual level. It does not compromise the difficulties involved in such a long and arduous quest as it parallels this quest with similar endeavors in other cultures as well. The sense of human aspiration for a higher goal and enlightenment shines through in all aspects of this movie, leaving the viewers spellbound as they leave the theater with a higher inspiration and a refreshing sense hope for a more fulfilling future.

Every activity may open something new

[himaalayah · 9 January 2019]

The endurance, pain and hardship appears to bring concentration - intense uncompromising focus seems to take one beyond the mental barrier similar to what real meditation (not trying to) - a realm where the body, mind and the 5 out of control senses slow down much like the Yogic texts describe.-the self in "self-transcendence" probably means the lower self. certainly gives me a new insight into extreme disciplines leading to...

A one off amazing moving experience, must see.

[juliettegallienne-47786 · 9/10 · 19 January 2019]

This race is truly remarkable and those who have the capacity to run this distance and for that long are very blessed. This movie gives those who cannot be there or run an insight to the endurance and life changing ups and down they go through. It is a big part of the year these runners have to prepare and then commit to long hot days and unknown weather conditions to achieve their goals. If you are into running or just want an insight into self transcendence, then this is the movie to watch and maybe more than once. Enjoy.

Very inspiring

[adrpassini · 9/10 · 18 January 2019]

This race is absolutely inspiring, I believe these runner can show us the very nature of self-transcendence. I hope everyone who see this movie can fell oneness with the runners and become better a person.

A source of inspiration and empowerment to all

[amaravati · 10/10 · 4 April 2019]

I watched this film in in New York than in Bali during my holls. I than came across Rich Roll´s podcast interview about it which is fantastic. Basically I have been "surfing" on this "wave of inspiration" ever since the first encounter. I also found that I discover something new each time I watch it and this fuels my running. It looks at exercise from a few different perspectives which have - in a way, the same goal - going beyond your capacity and achieve giant changes for the better not only for yourself but for others as well. The sense of unity and togetherness which I felt while watching this is truly inspiring and touching. I really think that anyone can be inspired by the message in it, regardless of what hers or his capacity in running has been. I certainly started running more and have been using running as a prayer which is a whole new dimension for me. This film offers an approach to running which helps the runner to focus on happiness from progress rather than just on the success or an achievement. Some runners make running a ritual which feeds one on a few levels. It shows that this approach actually improves the performance - so it´s a win win situation- happy attitude gets you further, it helps to overcome obstacles which can be transformed into opportunities. Very grateful that I came across this. It can also instigate endurance in any task or journey as the message is very empowering in many ways and the indomitable spirit of the runners blows one away... . Enjoy everyone!

Inspired me to get out there and exercise

[premananda1382 · 9/10 · 30 January 2019]

I found this film tremendously inspirational! It really uplifted me. I haven't been able to run for a few years now, but after seeing this film I felt like me body was very light. Going for a long walk is something I try to do now daily.

If you need some inspiration to get out there and exercise then watch this film, you will not regret it!

Probably the best movie of its genre so far made

[s-cimer · 9/10 · 16 January 2019]

If you are interested in long distance running and are open to the more inner aspects of it, then this is a "must see" for you.

It is extremely hard to make a good movie both about ultra running and modern day spirituality, but to combine them in a single project is really challenging. I've seen Sanjay Rawall's earlier works and I really liked them, but I was quite curious how will he manage this one, especially that this is quite a long movie.

Well, the events covered(the hunt in Africa may be an exception) are not really action packed - a bunch of determined runners circling around a New York suburb block (on concrete pavement) or a Japanese Buddhist monk circling a holly mountain for one thousand days, while immersed in prayer. Still by forging the different stories together it became quite a dynamic visual feast.

The movie is really beautifully shot and it gives it subtle, dignified feeling.

If you are interested in the topics and feel a bit low or just need some inspiration to go on with the projects of your life this movie will definitely give you a big inspirational lift.

Highly recommended!

An amazing tale from the real world

[calanctus27 · 9/10 · 23 January 2019]

I'm fond of cinema verite because I don't need a fantasy story to be engaged, entertained, inspired or moved...and the closer I get to a sense of realism, the more powerful those feelings can be. This film is a knockout. The runners are folks like you and me...except for their courage to undertake a huge challenge and their capacity to pull it off. The relatability of these people, combined with their amazing achievement, and the artistry with which the film was made, make this my favourite title of 2018...just great!

Not your average fun-run

[testforlotus · 9/10 · 21 January 2019]

(contains mild spoilers, if 'spoilers' can really be used to describe something that actually happened)

The main protagonist of this documentary, a Finnish paperboy aiming to finish the world's longest race for the 14th time, is an interesting fellow. I can't imagine he is all that polished in media interviews; he simply doesn't that faculty of intuiting what people want to hear, so instead he just tells you what he actually thinks. Our Finnish paperboy, while no Proust, looks upon the world with a simplicity that grows on you as the film progresses; there is a sense that he is also a spectator, looking on as various things happen to his body and mind - the heat, the boredom, trying to figure out if beating the guy ahead of you really counts as a spiritual objective.

As the title suggests, the 3100 mile race (the aforementioned world's longest race) occupies the lion's share of this documentary, but there are also side trips to various cultures around the world for which running means something more than just endorphin rushes - Navajo Indians, hunters in Botswana, running monks in Japan. There is a talk given by a Navajo runner to a group of children that is particularly powerful - running as a prayer, an offering to the earth. The Botswana and Japan sections are a little undercooked, but understandably so. Getting to the essence of a culture in the allotted 15 minutes is no small task. It must be tiresome for all these different cultures to constantly keep having to package themselves in a way that is pleasing to the Western eye; you can forgive them for keeping some of their secrets to themselves.

The director seems quite determined not to get bogged down in all the competing strands, and the result is a film that moves, but also is moving. In every good film, there comes a point where you realise how engaged you are. For me, it was the symphony cellist from Austria who is running the race for the first time; all her family can think about is how she nearly died following a previous ultramarathon, her husband volunteers to help her all the better to keep an eye on her, she insists that her spiritual practices will see her all the way through. They don't. Sometimes you have to stop, brush yourself off, and start again. Others succeed, and you fail. This is something that New Age manuals never tell you about. What do you do when all those positive affirmations collide with a cold and arbitrary world? Maybe that is when the real spiritual life begins.

One to watch

[sjwheeler-50818 · 10/10 · 14 June 2020]

Very thought-provoking, sincere and inspirational.

3100 Run and Become I will never forget!

[baybd-48673 · 10/10 · 16 May 2020]

I just watched your stellar story of inspiration, courage and self-transcendence! Specially at this challenging time for all humanity, I wholeheartedly recommend this movie to everyone who needs encouragement and inspiration! Battling through pain and other seemingly impossible outer circumstances, these runners from many cultures and nations call upon the most powerful positive inspiration and determination within themselves in order to go beyond!

This is precisely the message we need right now! We will not give up! We will call upon our highest goals, our deepest aspirations and our vastest dreams so that all human beings now and in the future may flourish.

Thank you Mr. Rawal for your supremely inspiring film!

A movie about finding meaning in life through an amazing challenge

[emullerbeck · 10/10 · 18 May 2020]

Meaning is not necessarily easy to find...it comes from responsibilities, from new discoveries, and especially from overcoming challenges. This movie is about the latter. It is about a genuine, modern-day epic, like the epics of the ancient times: the Trojan War, the labours of Hercules, and so forth...except this time there is no war, and the monsters to overcome are in your own thoughts.

Watch this film if you're looking to see how other people, like you and me, took on an epic challenge and found amazing meaning in the process.