“Spirit of the Marathon,” an inspirational journey to the finish line returns to the big screen in a 16-city tour in anticipation and celebration of runners and their participation in marathons and running races from the Boston Marathon to the Bolder Boulder. 

More than a sports event, “Spirit of the Marathon” is an an extraordinary theatre event with unique, theatre-only features that has been embraced by runners and non-runners alike. Tickets for this special event are available at presenting theatre box offices (theatres are subject to change) and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

Presented by National CineMedia’s (NCM) Fathom, in partnership with Active.com and Wasserman Media Group, “Spirit of the Marathon” follows six runners as they to prepare for and ultimately face the challenge of the Chicago Marathon. The program premiered in January through NCM Fathom to an overwhelming response across the United States resulting in fan demand for an Encore presentation in February and a 16-city tour to coincide with local marathons and road races throughout 2008 including:

- April 17: The Boston Marathon

- April 24: Country Music Marathon – Nashville, Tenn.

-  May 1: Indy Mini – Indianapolis

-  May 1: Lilac Bloomsday Run – Spokane, Wash.

- May 8:  Revlon Run for Women – Los Angeles

- May 22: Bolder Boulder – Boulder, Colo.

- May 29: Rock “n” Roll – San Diego

-  July 1: Atlanta Peachtree 10K – Atlanta

- August 28: Rock “n” Roll – Virginia Beach, Va.

- September 18: ING Philadelphia Half Marathon – Philadelphia

- October 2: Rock “n” Roll – San Jose, Calif.

- October 9: Chicago Marathon - Chicago

- October 16: Nike Team in Training – San Francisco

- October 23: Marine Corps Marathon – Washington, DC

- October 30: New York City Marathon – New York

- November 13: Inaugural Rock “n” Roll – San Antonio, Texas

A “Behind-the-Scenes” featurette produced specifically for – and shown at these one-night events - includes interviews with the director and producers as well as marathon veterans reminicscing about their first marathon experiences. The featurette highlights deleted scenes, dramatic race footage and previews the upcoming 2008 Olympics with a Q&A session with Olympians Deena Kastor and Ryan Hall.

“Spirit of the Marathon” appears on the big screen in select local AMC, Cinemark USA Inc. and Regal Entertainment Group movie theatres through NCM’s Digital Broadcast Network. For a complete list of presenting theatre locations and prices please visit www.FathomEvents.com.

Four years in the making, “Spirit of the Marathon” is the collaborative effort of three-time Academy Award winner Mark Jonathon Harris, Telly Award winner and marathon runner Jon Dunham and producer/marathoner Gwendolen Twist. Filmed on four continents, the movie brings together a diverse cast of amateur athletes and marathon veterans including:

• Deena Kastor – 2004 Olympic Bronze Medalist – As a professional runner for more than a decade, Deena has set numerous American and world records but never attained a marathon victory. A 2004 Olympic Bronze medalist in the women’s marathon, Deena set her marathon sights on the Chicago Marathon before trying out for the 2008 Olympic Games.

• Leah Caille – First-time Marathoner – Picking up the pieces from her failed marriage, single-mother Leah found herself at an all-time low. Leah regained health and happiness by joining a running program and completing many races before deciding to train for and run the Chicago Marathon. 

• Gerald “Jerry” Meyers – Four-time Marathoner – Jerry has been a runner since the 1970s but never ran a marathon until he was 65. He races in the Chicago Marathon at 70 years old with his 40-year-old daughter who was inspired to train for the marathon by her father’s marathon accomplishments.

• Daniel Njenga – World Class Marathoner – A native of Nyahururu, Kenya, Daniel lives and trains in Japan where he is a two-time winner of the Tokyo International Marathon.  Daniel has finished in the top three in the Chicago Marathon for six consecutive years with a personal best of 2:06:16 which ranks him as one of the all-time fastest runners in the world.

• Lori O’Connor – First-time Marathoner – Lori, a Northwestern University student persuing her doctorate in sociology, trained for four months to race in the Chicago Marathon while raising funds for Genesis of Pittsburgh, the non-profit adoption agency that matched her with a family as an infant. 

• Ryan Bradley – Boston Marathon Hopeful – Ryan’s participation in and completion of the Chicago Marathon will ultimately help him reach his goal of running in the Boston Marathon – a goal he previously missed by 11 seconds. Cameras follow Ryan as he trains for the Chicago Marathon and ultimately experiences the marathon in a way he never imagined.

"It was a thrill to be a part of ‘Spirit of the Marathon’ and even more exciting to see the essence of this great sport captured so beautifully,” said Deena Kastor, 2004 Olympic Bronze Medalist and featured runner. “It is my greatest hope that millions will relate to ‘Spirit of the Marathon’ and that many more be inspired by it.”

“NCM Fathom is excited to partner with Wasserman Media Group to bring this unique theatre event back to the big screen following its overwhelming welcome during its national premiere in January,” said Dan Diamond, vice president of NCM Fathom. “‘Spirit of the Marathon’ is a powerful and inspirational experience for runners and non-runners alike.”