Run, The (ATOM Study Guide)

The Run is a feature-length documentary film which follows Australian Pat Farmer's test of human spirit and behind-the-scenes drama as he runs the length of India. As an adventurer and former federal politician, ultramarathon runner Pat Farmer was looking for a challenge that only India would inspire. With its 1.2 billion people, rich diversity, history, poverty, corruption, cultures, religions, natural beauty and traffic, there was plenty in India to test him.

Pat began with a piece of paper – a map on his kitchen table. The idea soon transformed into one of the most adventurous journeys anyone could embark on: running from the southernmost point of India, Kanyakumari, to the summit of the Himalayan Mountains in the far north, Srinagar in Kashmir.

Pat Farmer completed the run in just sixty-four days and touched the finish line ahead of schedule. Traversing twelve states and running a breathtaking distance of 4416.7 kilometres, the run magnificently sailed through the unpredictable, organised chaos of India. Pat's journey was a true test of human spirit – one of his aims was to raise funds for the education of disadvantaged girls in India via the Nanhi Kali Foundation. Mahindra Jeeps thus loaned him and the film crew three vehicles for the whole trip, as they own the charity Nanhi Kali.

This film is a journey where the destination does not matter – showcasing a distance of up to 89 kilometres a day in sixty-four days and one man who conquers it all: Pat Farmer.

Curriculum Links:

The Run can be linked to the following subject areas within the Australian Curriculum:

• English (Years 7–10)
• Geography (Years 7–10)
• Health and Physical Education (Years 9–10)
• Media Studies (Years 7–10)