"Spirit of the Marathon" in Boston - Thursday, April 17
National CineMedia's Fathom, Active.com and Wasserman Media Group present acclaimed marathon documentary in conjunction with Olympic Trials and 112th Boston Marathon

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Posted Sunday, 13 April, 2008

CENTENNIAL, Colo. - "Spirit of the Marathon", an inspirational journey to the finish line, returns to the big screen in Boston on Thursday, April 17 in anticipation and celebration of the U.S. Women's Olympic Marathon Trials and the 112th running of the flagship Boston Marathon. More than a sports movie, "Spirit of the Marathon" is an extraordinary film event with unique, theater-only features that has been embraced nationally by runners and non-runners alike. Tickets for this special Boston presentation are available at local presenting theater box offices (theaters are subject to change) and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

Meet the Athletes of "Spirit of the Marathon" - Thursday, April 17 at 1:00-3:00pm
Preceding the back-to-back screenings of "Spirit of the Marathon" in select Boston area theaters, running luminaries will gather at 1:00pm at the Bill Rodgers Running Center at the Faneuil Hall Market Place for poster and book signings. Scheduled to appear are:

* Sara Mae Berman - Three-time Boston Marathon winner and women's running pioneer
* Tom Derderian - Author "Boston Marathon"
* Roger Robinson - Author "Running in Literature" and Boston Marathon masters winner
* Bill Rodgers - Four-time Boston Marathon & NYC Marathon champion
* Kathrine Switzer - Women's running pioneer

"Spirit of the Marathon" Film Event Screening - Thursday, April 17 at 4:30 and 7:30pm
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 prepare for and ultimately face the challenge of the marathon. The film 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.

A "Behind-the-Scenes" featurette produced specifically for - and shown only at this one-night event - includes interviews with the director and producers as well as marathon veterans reminiscing 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 and Team Running USA teammates Deena Kastor and Ryan Hall.

"Spirit of the Marathon" appears on the big screen on Thursday, April 17 at 4:30pm and 7:30pm local time in high-definition with Cinema Surround Sound at seven local movie theaters including the Regal Bellingham 14, Cape Cod Mall 12, Independence Mall 14, Solomon Pond 15, Westborough Cinemas 12, Fox Run 15 and Fenway 13 Cinemas through NCM's Digital Broadcast Network.

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 Marathon bronze medalist - Deena set her sights on Chicago for her first marathon victory. The two-time Olympian is favored to win the 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials held in Boston on Sunday, April 20.
* Leah Caille - first-time marathoner
* Gerald "Jerry" Meyers - four-time marathoner
* Daniel Njenga - world class marathoner
* Lori O'Connor - first-time marathoner
* Ryan Bradley - Boston Marathon qualifier hopeful

"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. "It is my greatest hope that millions will relate to 'Spirit of the Marathon' and that many more be inspired by it."

For more information contact, Melissa Leggett, Spirit of the Marathon, (213) 625-1801 or mleggett@calico1880.com

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