The Next Great Ultrarunning Film? (The Chase: A Cocodona 250 Story)
Mar 13, 2025
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Dylan Harris, an ultrarunning filmmaker and director of 'The Chase,' shares insights on the competitive spirit and unique personalities of the racers in the upcoming 2024 Cocodona 250. He discusses the transformative experiences of featured athletes like Jeff Browning and Arlen Glick, emphasizing resilience and community in the sport. The conversation also critiques past ultrarunning documentaries and highlights the need for authentic storytelling in future films, celebrating the deep connections formed through these extreme challenges.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of storytelling in ultrarunning films, highlighting a shift from commercial interests to authentic narratives.
Athletes featured in 'The Chase' offer unique personalities and stories, enriching the film's portrayal of the 2024 Cocodona 250 competition.
The emotional struggles and personal growth of ultrarunners, particularly Jeff Browning and Arlen Glick, illustrate the profound impacts of racing on identity.
Deep dives
The Pursuit of Storytelling in Ultra Running
The podcast features an in-depth discussion on the significance of storytelling within the ultra running community, particularly in the context of filmmaking. The director of the upcoming film, 'The Chase,' emphasizes that successful films prioritize narrative over commercial interests, allowing for a more authentic representation of the sport and its athletes. He compares the approach of previous films, like 'Unbreakable,' which took the time to develop a rich story, to the current trend of short, brand-driven content that often sacrifices depth for marketing purposes. This shift highlights the challenge of creating impactful narratives in a landscape increasingly influenced by sponsorships and commercial agendas.
Character Exploration in Ultra Racing Dynamics
In the conversation, attention is drawn to the distinctive personalities of the key athletes featured in the 2024 Cocodona 250 race. Each runner—Jeff Browning, Harry Subertas, Michael Versteeg, Joe McConaughey, Arlen Glick, and Michael McKnight—brings unique qualities and stories, enriching the race's narrative. The filmmaker expresses excitement at showcasing their personalities and how these differences contribute to a compelling depiction of the competition. This focus on character depth not only adds layers to the race but also moves beyond mere performance metrics to highlight the motivations and transformations of the athletes.
The Complexity of Emotional Resilience
The podcast delves into the emotional toll that ultra races can take on competitors, with particular emphasis on Jeff Browning and Arlen Glick. Browning’s narrative arc during the Cocodona 250 illustrates how an unexpected turn of events can lead to deep personal reflection and emotional vulnerability. His acknowledgment of failure and humility in the face of his second-place finish underscores the complex nature of ultra running, where victory and defeat intertwine with personal growth. Similarly, Glick's experience reflects the transformative impact of the race on his identity, revealing how challenges can lead to significant self-discovery.
The Influence of Community and Personal Growth
The discussion highlights the vital role of community in shaping the experiences of the athletes, particularly through shared moments that extend beyond the race itself. For instance, the camaraderie developed between Joe McConaughey and Jeff Browning emerges as a defining aspect of their journey, emphasizing the importance of support systems in ultra running. This community dynamic not only bolsters individual resilience but also fosters a sense of belonging within the sport. Ultimately, the relationships formed during training and races contribute to each athlete's growth and outlook on competition.
Future of Filmmaking in Ultra Running
As the podcast concludes, there's a strong call for the ultra running community to invest in storytelling that prioritizes authenticity over commercial interests. The filmmaker argues that creating impactful content requires collaboration from both brands and the community to ensure that narratives reflect true human experiences rather than just marketing messages. This could pave the way for more filmmakers who are passionate about the sport to enter the ring, focusing on stories that resonate emotionally. By fostering an environment that values genuine storytelling, the sport of ultra running can continue to grow while maintaining its core values and community spirit.
In this episode, I'm joined by ultrarunning filmmaker Dylan Harris for a special conversation.
Dylan is the director of an upcoming film called "The Chase", which tells the story of the epic six-way battle for victory at the 2024 Cocodona 250, featuring Jeff Browning, Harry Subertas, Michael Versteeg, Joe McConaughy, Arlen Glick, and Michael McKnight. We've had almost all of these guys on the pod before — some of my favorite characters in the sport — and it was incredible to see how this film captured the unique blend of their personalities and racing styles at a premier multi-day event like Cocodona.
In this conversation, Dylan and I start and finish by discussing the potential for more content like this in the ultrarunning space, which was awesome. But even more so, we spend the bulk of our time diving deep into each of the featured athletes, adding another compelling layer of insight to the film’s storytelling.
Timestamps:
(2:05) - Unbreakable inspirations, making more films with good storytelling prioritized
(19:26) - Arlen Glick, Michael Versteeg, Joe McConaughy, Michael McKnight, Jeff Browning reflections
(85:17) - final thoughts
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