Trials by Miles doco freeview released

Adventure runner Beau Miles has released his trail running film, Trials by Miles, on You Tube for free viewing. Here he looks back at the adventure he documented…

It was five years ago that I ran, ah, shuffled across the Australian Alps Walking Track. So here I sit, thinking about that wet-dry-dusty-snaky trail in what was seemingly one-long-day, yonks ago.

Setting off from Tharwa ACT at 6:45am on day one and drinking Moet in the Walhalla rotunda 13 days-10 hours later is the longest day I’ve ever felt.

The film splits it up nicely with on screen text, a different shirt (occasionally) and the old sunset-to-sunrise shots. My increasingly swelling right leg, after the first week, put on the weight that the rest of me was losing. It was a compressed experience.

Intense, kilometre-counting, creek counting, sleeping in fits, anxious, excited, overtired. Yet all was fine. A little barked up from all that post bushfire roughage, but ok, and ok means you trot on.


[click on the frame squares bottom right to enlarge screen view]

I travelled slow enough not to fly apart completely, and fast enough to be back at work on time. I’d hate to exaggerate, like we do, because we can, but it was honestly a very doable thing.

Far fitter, stronger shufflers would do it faster, neater, better. But there’s a certain pleasure and ‘whatever’ about doing it as a personal, as well as ornamental ‘first’.

Click away and enjoy my jog across the Australian Alps Walking Track: Trials of Miles.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6TbeiKxpSs

www.beaumilesfilm.com

Trail run docos get airing at Brooks Trail Run Fest

With a gathering of like minded dirty souls set to happen on Mt Baw Baw Screen shot 2013-02-18 at 9.32.55 PMon March 9-11 for the Brooks Trail Run Festival, it seems only appropriate that two of last year’s biggest runs will feature as the evening entertainment, with only the second ever public screening of adventure runner Beau Miles’ new running film, Trials of Miles: running the Australian Alpine Walking Track slated for the Saturday night.

Miles, a local Noojee resident who grew up in Mt Baw Baw’s backyard, will be in attendance to present his film, which made its debut recently at the Adventure Film Festival in Bright, Victoria.

The documentary depicts his attempt to become the first ever person to run the entire length of the Australian Alpine Walking Track, a route that passes through the Baw Baw National Park and which is a major feature of the festival – the marathon and half marathon distances making full use of its length from Walhalla.

From the synopsis of his film:

“For trail runners, blazers of a new era in running, crossing old landscapes quickly is adding to our go-everywhere running feet. Wild terrains, rarely flat and  human-less, are increasingly nourishing the physical cravings and mindful wanderings of the trail runner.

“What was once a slow digestion of place through walking, is now pursued at speed. Beau Miles explores these peripherals through the ‘Trial of Miles’, a beautiful yet anxious first running of the 680km Australian Alps Walking track. Beau completed the run in 13 days 11 hours.”

It’s a beautiful piece of film making by Beau and his coproducer/director Brett Campbell that gives great insight into the realities of running such a long and often times brutal track. Check the screener below for a taster and get along to his screening on Saturday 9th March at Mt Baw Baw.

Screen shot 2013-02-18 at 9.31.52 PMAlso screening on the Sunday night following will be the premiere public screening of 100 Reasons: Running The North Face 100, a documentary that follows the journey of a number of first time entrants in what is Australia’s biggest trail run event, The North Face 100. Produced and directed by long time ultra runner Lisa Tamati and Trail Run Mag’s Chris Ord, the film gives insight into the question of why? Why run 100km through some of New South Wales’ most brutal  yet stunning terrain? For this film the answers are provided through the eyes and experiences of  ordinary people who through their journeys give powerful and personal insights into the motivations behind accepting the challenge to run 100km.   

Both films will no doubt offer inspiration to every trail runner on the mountain facing the remaining 12km + 12km night, 5km fun run and 1.5km downhill + 1.5km uphill challenges. Unfortunately, the inspiration will come too late for the marathoners and half marathoners, who will view the films post run (but perhaps be given enough inspiration to run again the next day!).

More info on the Brooks trail Run Festival at: mtbawbaw.com.au/events/baw-baw-trail-run-festival/

Check out Trial of Miles teaser below….