135 Miles to Freedom

Short Film

A short documentary surrounding Joe Gagnon, who has run every single day since 2001. No days off. It's his rule, his ritual, and his shield. He has run six marathons on six continents in six days, and hundreds of endurance events from ultra-marathons to triathlons. We meet him when he is selected to run Badwater 135, one of the toughest foot races in the world, where he faces challenges that seem unimaginable: 135 miles in under 48 hours, with temperatures reaching 120°F (49°C), through Death Valley, California.

Mixing present-day race prep, verite of Joe's curious habits, and VHS-era glimpses of him "before" his running identity, the film becomes less about conquering a race and more about what it reveals.