Hood to Coast

Christoph Baaden's inspiring and entertaining documentary relates the stories of four sets of participants in the Hood to Coast competition, a 24-hour relay-team marathon in which some 12,000 runners travel nearly 200 miles from Oregon's Mount Hood to the beach in the town of Seaside. Over its 27-year history, the race has evolved from a hardcore athletic contest to an event involving a cooperative community of self-described “adrenaline junkies” and assorted thrill seekers. Those profiled here include a 67-year-old woman who's returning to compete after nearly dying when her heart stopped following the previous year's event; a family preparing to run as a tribute to their son, who died suddenly from a rare, undetected heart condition several years earlier; a team of long-time participants who call themselves “dead jocks in a box,” lugging around a mock coffin but seriously dealing with issues of aging; and a group of film animators who race while wearing colorful costumes. In addition to dealing with the rigors of the course geography, the competitors battle against fatigue and the dark of night, although camaraderie helps them to the finish line. Reflecting later on their experience, most hope to return the following year to do it all again. DVD extras include a director's audio commentary, a “making-of” featurette, deleted scenes, follow-up interviews, a panel discussion, and more. Boasting exceptional camerawork, editing, and music, this rousing film is highly recommended. Aud: P. (S. Rees)