Notice: Screening of two mountain running films in CIT - Thurs 19th Dec 2019

There is a screening of two new films about mountain running coming up in CIT in the western suburbs of Cork City on Thurs 19th of December 2019. The first film starts at 6:30pm.

Tickets HERE

Film 1... Paddy O'Leary from Wexford will be attempting the Wicklow Round - a 26-peak, 100km, off-trail challenge in the mountains to the south of Dublin. Along the way, he’ll visit pubs, kitchens, and farmhouses across the country to learn about Ireland’s mountain running community and history.



Film 2... In June of 2019, Corkman Paul Tieney completed all 214 peaks in the Lake District in record time of six days and six hours. In total, he ran an incredible 318 miles (511 km) ascending a total of 36,000m (118,000ft), the equivalent of four ascents of Everest! See previous post.

FILM REVIEW : 7 DAYS - THE STORY OF "BLIND DAVE" HEELEY

 

Now for something different! I was sent on a film to review recently titled '7 Days - The Story of "Blind Dave" Heeley'.

The film portrays the life story of Dave Heeley, a runner who was inspired to undertake the challenge of running the “Sevens” -  seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. The only problem is that Dave is completely blind.

The film follows his progress through the seven events with flashbacks to his earlier life when he was beginning to lose his sight. It's an inspirational story of how someone battled against adversity to complete what must have seemed at the time like an impossible goal.

I found it a enjoyable film to watch and at roughly 41 minutes in length, it's just about right. It obviously doesn't have the special effects or locations used for say a Hollywood blockbuster but it does a good job of getting the story across.

"Blind Dave" Heeley seems to be a remarkable character and he has raised an incredible £3 million to date for charity.

The film website is here... https://www.pixelrevolutionfilms.com/7days

It is hoped that there will be a charity screening in the UK in mid-May as well as at some upcoming film festivals. It is hoped that it will be released online for the general public in late May or early June, via a paid link.

There is a video trailer and a radio interview below..

Film 'Desert Runners' showing in Cork...Sun 6th Sept 2015

 This unique film is showing in Cork on Sunday the 6th of September...

From Dave O'Brien....
Hi all : )
Desert Runners Movie has picked up 8 film awards worldwide and now (at last) showing in Cork for the very first time.

After speaking to a large audience in Long Beach, California 2009, I got approached backstage by a lady called Jennifer Steinman, a film producer from New York, who in our own words said, "absolutely crazy attempting to do what only two men on the planet had achieved for the first time ever, the year before. At least they are professional, being the most famous ultra runners in the world. Not to mention the fact that they are almost half your age. You are just an ordinary guy ..... (Pause) You are going to kill yourself, (another pause) .. I want to make a movie of it". (lovely : ) The rest as they say is ...... .... on film.

Note : After coming over to Ireland January 2010 for a few weeks filming, they decided, (unknown to me) based on my training that the auld man wouldn't last 5 minutes out there, let alone run 1,000 Kilometres through the 4 harshest Deserts in the world in a 38 week period.
So not wanting to keep all their eggs in one basket, they roped in another three characters. (just as well, now we have an interesting film : ) But did they all make it ?

Contact number on attached flier or can pay at the door.  Viewing : 3pm. Matinee and 7pm. evening.
Every cent going to Marymount University Hospital & Hospice.

I will be doing a Q&A with the audience after both shows.

Everything supplied except the popcorn....Buckle up for a roller coaster ... See you all there : )

Dave O'Brien

Dave O’Brien Running Bio
In 2010, Dave O’Brien, at the age of 56 became one of only a handful of men in the world, the only Irishman ever and the oldest man on the planet to run 4 x 250 Kilometre races across the Hottest, Coldest, Windiest and Driest Deserts on planet Earth, carrying everything on his back to survive…. and all in a 38 week period.

The Atacama Desert in Chile, 12 weeks later …                                    
The Gobi Desert in China, 12 weeks later …                                                
The Sahara Desert in Egypt and 5 Weeks later …                                  
The final frontier – Antarctica. 

Dave achievements have to be credited to an extraordinary mindset, mental toughness if you will, however, as he says himself, “Health” is the key. While many fuel to “perform”, I fuel to “Repair”

He accredits as he speaks and is known all over the world for -  That distinction between Fitness and “Health”.

Running Career...
500 plus Races all over the world
47 Marathons (e.g. Belfast, Boston, Berlin, Cork, Dublin, London, Memphis, Vienna etc.) fastest time : 2:58:11
2 x 250k  Self Sufficiency Ultra Races over 6 days each 
The Sahara desert 1998 (Marathon des Sables)  
The Sahara desert 2000  (Marathon des Sables)
4 x 250k Self Sufficiency Ultra Races over 6 days each (carrying all food, clothes, medical supplies, survival gear, water etc. for the week on your back)
The Atacama Desert, Chile. 2010. 250 Kilometres - 12 weeks later,
The Gobi Desert, China. 2010. 250 Kilometres - 12 weeks later,
The Sahara Desert, Egypt. 2010. 250 Kilometres - 12 weeks later
Antarctica. 2010. - 250 Kilometres. 
2 x Television reality Survival Shows 
1995 - GB Survival Show, – Ireland,  
2002 - Treasure Island, Fiji.

7 x highest peaks (all over 3,000 feet) in 23hrs28min. Irish record.
1 x Desert Runners Movie. Winning 8 film awards worldwide. 

And for the last two years …. A Barefoot Runner 2,500 Kilometres Run totally barefoot to date.

McFarland USA...New running film out in 2015

A new film called McFarland USA starring Kevin Costner is due for release in the US in February 2015. It's likely it will be available in Europe soon after.

Storyline..."Inspired by the 1987 true story, McFarland, USA follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school. Coach White and the McFarland students have a lot to learn about each other but when White starts to realize the boys’ exceptional running ability, things begin to change. Soon something beyond their physical gifts becomes apparent—the power of family relationships, their unwavering commitment to one another and their incredible work ethic. With grit and determination, the unlikely band of runners eventually overcomes the odds to forge not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well. "



Background info....
1) LA Times
2) Bakersfield Californian

New film 'Town of Runners' to be screened in Cork on the 20th of June

Town of Runners is a new film following the lives of two young athletes in the small town of Bekoji in Ethiopia. Perhaps like it's Kenyan equivalent of Iten, this Ethiopian town is noted for having produced many of that countries world class athletes.

This film was screened in the UK and in Dublin recently but there was no showing of it in Cork. With that in mind, I made a few enquiries and am now able to confirm that the Gate Cinema in Cork City will be screening it thanks to Mahers Sports. The show will be on at 7pm on Wednesday, the 20th of June. (approx 90 mins)

Some points...
1) It doesn't clash with any football fixture in the European Championships!
2) I don't know what the cost will be but it's likely to be cheap.
3) Tickets......to be decided.

Considering that this has never been done before, it's hard to guess what the demand might be like. Should it be on in a large or small cinema? So to help gauge interest, you might complete the poll on the right hand side. Just click on the Yes button if you are interested in going.