Film
The Mountain Runners documentary
Directed, produced and written by Todd Warger and Brian Young, the film combines archival imagery, historic film, visual effects and dramatized recreations to bring the 1911–1913 races to life.
The true story — on screen & in print
The Mountain Runners
America's First Adventure Race, 1911–1913.
The acclaimed documentary film and the new book by Todd Warger bring the extraordinary Mount Baker Marathons to audiences around the world.
One story. Two experiences.
See the story. Read the story.
The Mountain Runners now brings the history of the Mount Baker Marathons together in both the documentary film and a new book from Washington State University Press.
Book
The new book by Todd Warger
The Mountain Runners: America's First Adventure Race, 1911–1913 expands the story through historical research, oral histories, correspondence, government records and newspaper accounts.
1911First Mount Baker Marathon
10,781 ftHistoric summit elevation cited by the film and book
28–32 miApproximate mountain running distance
3 yearsThe races ran from 1911 through 1913
Book
A forgotten race that pushed ordinary men into extraordinary terrain.
The Mount Baker Marathons began in Bellingham, Washington, as an audacious promotion for the region. Competitors traveled toward the mountain by locomotive and automobile, then raced on foot through forest, darkness, snowfields and glaciers to the summit and back.
The new book expands the story through historical research, oral histories, correspondence, government records and newspaper accounts, bringing the personalities, rivalries, danger and spectacle of the 1911–1913 events back into view.
AuthorTodd Warger
PublisherWashington State University Press
FormatPaperback
List price$29.95
Size6 × 9 inches
IncludesIllustrations, maps & index
The film • worldwide
A new worldwide chapter for the documentary.
The Mountain Runners brings the forgotten Mount Baker Marathons to audiences around the world. Explore the documentary, worldwide viewing information, production credits and historical background, then go deeper with the new book.
The story
Three years of ambition, danger and spectacle.
A concise bridge between the book, the historical events and the documentary.
1911
The first race
Thousands gathered as local athletes attempted a race unlike anything the region had seen: transportation to the mountain, a punishing climb to the summit, and a return to Bellingham.
1912
The spectacle grows
Competition, publicity and civic pride intensified. Rail and automobile routes became part of the drama surrounding the mountain runners themselves.
1913
The final Mount Baker Marathon
After only three years, organizational problems and the extreme danger of the event brought the original competition to an end.
2012
The documentary
The Mountain Runners brought the story to film audiences through historical research, archival material and dramatized recreations.
Now
The book
The new WSU Press book expands the record and returns this extraordinary Pacific Northwest story to readers.
Read the book
See the publisher description, specifications and ordering information.
WSU Press →Watch the film
Learn about the documentary, its story, cast, athletes and production.
Documentary page →Watch worldwide
Find worldwide viewing and release information, along with details about the original DVD edition.
Watch / release info →