The Challenges and Rewards of Filming at Western States

In 2015, a crew from Sierra Studio Films followed three runners as they prepared for and then ran the Western States 100. The trio consisted of defending champ Rob Krar (who would indeed defend his win there); Caroline Boller, an elite 40-year-old ultrarunner going for her first 100-mile finish; and Karl Hoaglund, a competitive age-grouper and the publisher of Ultrarunning magazine.

In this video interview, Myles Smythe, the director of the resulting film, “This Is Your Day,” talks about the project’s conception and evolution, and what it was like to follow around these three athletes before and during the race.

“This Is Your Day” is currently screening as part of Trails In Motion 4, the international trail-running film festival (for which Trail Runner is a media partner). Trails In Motion will continue through the end of the year, with screenings all over the U.S. and world. Don’t miss upcoming events in Wildwood, Missouri (July 29); Sunnyvale, California (August 4); and Anchorage, Alaska (August 18). A full list of screenings can be found here, and the lineup of films here.