*Endless scrolling through Netflix, searching for inspiring running recs*
…crickets…
So let’s change that, shall we? I’ve got you covered with this list of the best running docs (at least, according to me).
Consider this your new algorithm…
I’m here to recommend the ones I’ve loved and I’m pretty sure you will too.
Sure, we all have our own ‘best’ list, but these might just make it onto yours.
Affiliate Disclosure: I’m here to help you grow as a rider and runner. So to keep things running smoothly and the content free, I participate in the Amazon Services program and select affiliate networks. So, when you click on those affiliate links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
THE BEST RUNNING DOCUMENTARIES TO WATCH NOW
The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young
I don’t know about you, but running 26.2 miles is long enough for me.
But 100 miles?
Through the Appalachian Mountains in Tennessee?
With no trail markings, no GPS allowed, and just one master map? 😳
Um, no thanks.
Clearly, this race is most definitely not for those who like things planned and scheduled…because you might give up before the race even starts.
The race entry is a secret process.
The race date’s only announced AFTER you’ve been accepted in the race.
And the start time? ⏰ That’s a surprise too—it’s 1 hour after the conch shell is blown.
So…rather just watch people go really, really far and up 120,000 feet of elevation? 🏔
Me too.
Watch now: The Barkley Marathons
Boston: An American Running Story (2017)
Ask any marathoner about their bucket list race, and the Boston Marathon may top the list.
Why?
It’s not just because it’s the oldest marathon in the United States with a rich history.
It’s also the qualifying times—you’ve got to be fast 💨 to register.
But that doesn’t guarantee you’ll run Boston!! There’s a cutoff…so you have to run faster than those qualifying times.
For the 129th Boston Marathon on April 21, 2025, qualifiers had to run 6 minutes and 51 seconds faster than their age group and gender qualifying times
See why it attracts so many runners?
If you want to deep dive into the history and see the meticulous planning behind the 118th Boston Marathon, held a year after the 2013 bombings, Boston is a must-watch.
Watch now: Boston The Documentary
Breaking2: The Documentary
Breaking2 wasn’t just a race…it was Nike’s bold experiment to see if a human could run a marathon in under 2 hours.
That’s 26.2 miles. At 4:34 min/ mile. 😳
So who on earth can hold this pace?!
Well, there’s 3 elite marathoners who can: Lelisa Desisa from Ethiopia, Zersenay Tadese from Eritrea, and Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge.
Nike’s Sport Research Lab scientists looked closely at each runner’s stats to create custom marathon training plans for each athlete.
That was only one part of the experiment. The next?
Finding *the most perfect* race conditions. (Usually, that means a flat course, moderate temps, and no wind.)
And they discovered just that at the Formula 1 racetrack in Monza, Italy.
So, how’d they do? Tune in to Breaking2 to find out!
Watch now: Breaking2
Desert Runners (2013)
Would you run 155 miles through the desert to see what you’re made of? What about FOUR deserts, for a total of 620 miles in 1 year?
Some people—like the runners in Desert Runners—most definitely would.
It’s the allure of the 4 Deserts Grand Slam. It’s so grueling that since 2008 only 78 people have completed this challenge.
It’s not only those 155 miles that make this brutal—it’s the landscapes.
- Driest (Atacama in Chile)
- Windiest 💨(Gobi in China)
- Hottest 🔥(Sahara in Egypt)
- Coldest 🧊(Antarctica).
Runners will battle the terrain and their physical and mental barriers. How far can they really go?
Desert Runners takes you right into the heart of it—don’t miss it!
Watch now: Desert Runners
Gabe
What comes to mind when you think of runners? Grit? Passion? Determination? All of it?
Gabe Grunewald was all of that and more.
And this short running doc from Brooks Running takes you into her world as a pro runner, who faced rare cancer yet continued to chase her dreams.
You’ll see the highs and crushing lows, reminding us how vital it is to go for our goals, even when life throws us curveballs.
Gabe passed away in June 2019, but her story and legacy live on through the Brave Like Gabe Foundation.
Watch now: Gabe
The Man with the Halo
A broken neck. Not racing. Athletic dreams slipping away.
Tim Don faced all that just two days before the 2017 Ironman World Championships. A truck hit him while riding in the bike lane, breaking his neck.
His options for recovery? A soft brace, an operation, or a halo.
He wanted a full recovery (because racing!), so he went with the one with the best odds—the halo. But it came with a price: 4 titanium screws drilled into his skull for 3 months.
Major setback? Most def. But also a stunning return to sport.
Watch now: The Man with the Halo
The Spirit of the Marathon II (2013)
Why do you run? 🤔
I’m gonna bet your answer is probably different from mine…and that’s what makes running so interesting.
And that’s why this doc is so inspiring. Because in it, we’ll meet a mix of runners—newbies taking on their first marathon to pros. All running for their own reasons: a cause, to win, to change their lives.
Oh…AND…it’s the Rome marathon. So if you ever needed a boost of inspo to lace up your shoes, this doc may be it.