Trailer for LEARNING TO FLY Spotlights Ultra Marathon Runners and the Power of Endurance
Unreasonable Studios has released the first trailer for Learning to Fly, the latest documentary from filmmaker Max Lowe. It introduces audiences to an emotional and visually striking story about running, resilience, and self-discovery.
At its heart is Aisha McAdams, a former competitive runner who stepped away from the sport before finding a new path as a photographer. Her journey takes her deep into the world of ultra marathons, where she documents the highs and lows of some of the most elite endurance athletes in the world while confronting her own past.
The doc follows McAdams as she covers legendary races like the Western States Endurance Run in California’s Sierra Nevada and the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in the French Alps.
Along the way, she captures the grit and determination of runners including Jim Walmsley and Eszter Csillag. The trailer teases not just the grueling physical toll of these events but also the strong sense of community among those who choose to push their limits.
As Lowe explains: "On its face, it might be hard to understand why someone would push themselves to run grueling 100-mile trail races, through the night and up and down thousands of feet of mountain trails.
“Throughout the journey of documenting these elite athletes in competition, watching their failures & triumphs... seeing the community they've built by the process of pushing the unknown, Aisha starts to reclaim not only her love of the sport but also her belief in her own ability to confront her idea of impossible within her interpretation of the sport."
As an avid runner myself I 100% relate to watch this film is looking to capture. I started running seriously almost two years ago. This year I’ve already run four marathons and I’m traning for a 50 miler. One thing that I’ve found since I’ve started this journey is that running has been good for my head and my mental health. It’s changed me life.
The film has no official release date yet, but with its Telluride premiere and festival run ahead, it looks set to inspire both seasoned runners and those who’ve never set foot on a trail. For fans of sports documentaries that dive into human perseverance, this one should definitely be on the radar.