Spirit of the Marathon (2008)

The Chicago Marathon seen from both ends of the field: elite runners chasing places alongside ordinary people training for their first 26.2 miles. That mix is the point. Nobody here is superhuman, the training looks like real weeknight runs, and the finish line lands harder because you have watched the doubts. Easily the best pick for a room of new runners, or for anyone about to start a marathon block. A sequel set at the Rome Marathon followed.