Mountain athletes
Steve House and Chad Kellogg bring a climber's perspective to the physical and technical challenge of Mount Baker.
Documentary film • worldwide release
The Mountain Runners
The incredible true story of America's first mountain endurance/adventure race — by automobile, steam train and foot to the summit of Mount Baker. The documentary brings the spectacle, danger and ambition of the Mount Baker Marathons to audiences around the world.
About the film
An epic race almost lost to history.
The documentary tells the story of the Mount Baker Marathons, held from 1911 through 1913. Athletes raced roughly 28 to 32 miles on foot toward a 10,781-foot volcanic, glacial summit after reaching the mountain by special train or early automobiles.
The docudrama uses vintage photographs, historic film, graphics, digital effects and recreated scenes to place viewers inside the danger and spectacle of the race. The film features narration by Kevin Tighe and a dramatized appearance by William B. Davis as Henry Engberg.
Modern endurance athletes and authors — including Steve House, Chad Kellogg, Krissy Moehl, Scott Jurek, Doug McKeever and Cami Ostman — reflect on what these early competitors accomplished.
Released2012
RuntimeApprox. 89 minutes
DirectorsTodd Warger & Brian Young
NarrationKevin Tighe
DramatizationWilliam B. Davis
ProductionGoa To It Films / Jet City Films
Watch the film
Experience the race on screen.
Follow the runners from Bellingham to Mount Baker through archival imagery, historic film and dramatic recreations, and find current worldwide viewing information.
Featured voices
Past and present endurance athletes.
The film connects the men of 1911–1913 with accomplished modern climbers, ultrarunners and authors.
Ultrarunners
Krissy Moehl, Scott Jurek and Doug McKeever consider the endurance demands placed on runners more than a century ago.
Historical context
Historians, descendants and archival material help reconstruct the people, routes and competing ambitions behind the races.