It’s the school holidays, the World Cup is on, and outside it’s raining cats and dogs or scorching hot humid every alternate day. If you’re stuck at home with a bored child or two, nowhere to go, and only live football on TV to keep everyone occupied, here are three running and triathlon movies worth watching between matches.
These films are perfect for:
- Watching between matches instead of endlessly scrolling your phone
- Sharing with your spouse and children the same “war stories” you went through while training for your own race
- Getting inspired to finally sign up for that marathon or triathlon
- Relaxing, laughing, and reminding yourself that fitness journeys are rarely smooth
Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019)
A funny, honest, and surprisingly relatable marathon story
This hilarious yet heartfelt comedy is based on a true story. It follows Brittany, an overweight, hard-partying woman who decides to turn her life around by training for the New York City Marathon.
What makes this movie work is that it doesn’t pretend running magically solves everything. The training is hard, the setbacks are real, and the journey is messy — just like most of our first marathon buildups.
Why runners will enjoy it
- Realistic beginner struggles
- Funny training moments we’ve all experienced
- A strong reminder that progress matters more than perfection
Watch the full movie on
Run Fatboy Run (2007)
A marathon comedy with classic British humour
This lighthearted British comedy stars an out-of-shape, very ordinary guy who decides to train for a marathon in an attempt to win back the woman he left at the altar.
It’s goofy, chaotic, and full of the kind of training disasters that make you think, “Okay, maybe my own long run wasn’t that bad after all.”
Why runners will enjoy it
- Hilarious marathon training mishaps
- Relatable struggles with motivation and consistency
- A reminder that determination can beat talent sometimes
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Vijay 69 (2024)
A feel-good triathlon story with heart and humour
This slice-of-life comedy-drama follows Vijay, a quirky and energetic 69-year-old man who decides to take on the challenge of competing in a triathlon.
The film is equal parts funny and inspiring, showing that endurance sports aren’t only for the young, ultra-fit crowd. Sometimes the biggest victory is simply deciding to start.
Why runners and triathletes will enjoy it
- Motivational without being overly serious
- Celebrates the joy of staying active at any age
- Triathlon training moments that are both funny and familiar
Watch the movie on 
Feeling Inspired After the Movie?
If these films leave you itching to lace up your shoes and give the marathon a shot, you’re not alone. Every runner starts somewhere — usually with sore legs, questionable pacing decisions, and a lot of “Why did I sign up for this again?” moments.
You can also follow our heroes, Miles Tan and his friends, as they continue their fitness journey and share practical training tips and beginner-friendly advice. Better yet, follow their training programme and start your own endurance adventure
