4am (MDT) on August 17 was a very unusual time for a film premier. But there was a very specific reason that professional Drew Petersen’s raw and powerful documentary about running and mental health, , was unleashed onto YouTube at that exact time. Because it coincided with the start of Colorado’s Leadville Trail 100 Run, aka, the “Race Across the Sky”, one the world’s most legendary , which was first held in 1983.
It’s a gruelling 100 mile (161km) course that includes skiing and running up and down several 14,000-foot (4,267m) peaks. This year Petersen was among the runners. chronicles Petersen’s journey from the depths of deep depression to finding purpose, strength and resilience by setting a goal to run the Leadville Trail 100 ultramarathon.
It tells an immersive story of how within the struggle of living with mental illness lies an opportunity to access an infinite, inexhaustible well of strength to achieve our limitless potential. “The film aims to ultimately create powerful cultural change around mental health awareness and suicide prevention,” says the . So yeah, there’s some majestic and stirring skiing and running footage too.
It’s not Petersen’s first foray into this area. His 2022 release, , was a ski film that dealt with PTSD, bipolar disorder, brain injury rehabilitation and suicide. Petersen hopes that will expand the message further.
“ was, in its core, a ski movie. I don't know if I want to use the word 'just’, but it was just a ski film,” Petersen told the website . “And takes that, brings in running, brings in a whole parallel community, broadens it to the outdoor community.
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