When nearly 200,000 athletes and fans converge on Eugene, Oregon,
for the 2008 U.S. Track & Field Trials, there is no doubt they will
enjoy the beautiful scenery and the competitive spirit of “Track Town
USA.”
However, when they leave Hayward Field for some well-deserved down
time, hundreds will head to the movies. That’s right! Hollywood comes
to Eugene, as the city plays host to the first film festival ever
devoted to the subjects of track & field, marathon running, and
cross country: the Running Film Festival (RFF), scheduled for July 3 – 5 on the University of Oregon campus.
RFF is the brainchild of running enthusiasts and industry
entrepreneurs, who formulated the idea after assessing the vast, yet
underexposed, collection of celluloid devoted to the sport. The
festival signed a title sponsor to join presenting sponsors TheFinalSprint.com and Running Times, and a great event was born. A portion of the proceeds from the RFF will be donated to the Ryan Shay Memorial Fund,
an organization established in memory of distance runner and Olympic
hopeful Ryan Shay, who died suddenly during the U.S. Olympic Marathon
Trials in New York City in 2007. The fund will support Ryan's vision to
help disadvantaged individuals, groups and communities, as well as
American runners in financial need.
“Everyone knows ‘Pre’, ‘Without Limits’, and ‘Chariots of Fire,’ but there are dozens of other movies and documentaries that runners
will enjoy. We created an event that brings together great films,
talented directors, elite athletes, and people who simply love the
sport. Movie makers have the chance to screen their films for
appreciative audiences with entertainment that fits seamlessly with the
spirit of Eugene 08,” says Adam Jacobs, Editor-in-Chief of TheFinalSprint.com, a presenting sponsor.
Jacobs says the lineup will include several world premiere presentations. Pictures already scheduled include: “The Long Green Line,” “Spirit of the Marathon,” “Run For Your Life”, “Indulgence,” “Run Like Hell,” and “Showdown.” Event organizers also promise major additions to the lineup, which will
be unveiled over the coming weeks at runningfilmfestival.com.
Running ‘celebrities,’ filmmakers, and audience members will have
the opportunity to interact during the RFF’s Meet & Greets, Q&A
sessions and other special events. Red carpet appearances by legends of
the sport, as well as current track & field stars like Olympian
Gabe Jennings, are among the highlights anticipated during the
three-day event.
The RFF will not interfere with the Olympic trials, so fans,
athletes, their coaches, families, and friends can all attend and enjoy
both the films and the races.
The complete schedule and film line-up is being finalized, and
tickets for the events will go on sale June 1st. Film listings and
tickets are available at runningfilmfestival.com.
Pending availability, tickets also will be available July 3, 4 and 5 at
the festival venue: Columbia 150 on the University of Oregon campus.
For more information, visit the festival website at http://www.runningfilmfestival.com
About: Running Film Festival (RFF)
The first annual Running Film Festival (RFF) is scheduled for July 3-5, 2008 at Columbia 150 on the University of Oregon campus. Current sponsors include TheFinalSprint.com and Running Times.
Executives in charge of the festival include running enthusiasts Phil
Knowlton, a NYC-based filmmaker, Adam Jacobs, the Editor-in-Chief of
TheFinalSprint.com, and Jake Klim, a TV producer based in Washington,
DC. For more information, please visit http://www.runningfilmfestival.com
