By Pip Haylett
“It’s just running” is a phrase I find myself using quite a bit these days. It’s just running, right? Well, maybe it is, but sometimes all you need is a little inspiration to remind you that sometimes it can be a whole lot more.
Last week I went to a showing of the Skid Row Marathon, a truly amazing film about the lives of 4 people for whom running has become a life changing passion. Focused around the Midnight Mission homeless centre, you are taken on a journey following former residents of the infamous Skid Row, who, battling many demons, find help and salvation from the most unlikely of sources, namely Judge Craig Mitchell. A criminal court Judge who, through his dedication to running and his ability to provide second chances to all, has forged the most unlikely of friendships.
From a few miles around the block, to international marathon adventures, this is a humbling, inspiring and quite remarkable tale that I guarantee will restore your faith in humanity, should you be lacking any.
I laughed, I cried, and I came away wanting to do good things, wanting to use my love of running to help others. So, yes, it is just running, but it’s films like this that show that with the right level of commitment and dedication, it can be elevated to so much more.
Skid Row Marathon is showing around the country on 9th May. If you get a chance to get a ticket, it is well worth a watch. Running at its brilliant best.
