What does it take to become an international marathon runner?

Is it Talent? Training? Motivation? Determination? Focus? Commitment? Opportunity? Ambition? Or is it Obsession? It’s probably all of them.

In 1985, 102 British male runners ran under the elite time of 2 hours 20 minutes for the marathon, only 5 managed this same feat 20 years later. British male distance running had all but disappeared but why? Over 600 East African runners ran under 2 hours 20 minutes for the marathon in 2005!

Weighing at 224 pounds, obese, asthmatic smoker, and heavy drinker, filmmaker Alex Vero goes on a journey to find out firsthand what it takes to become an international marathon runner and to explain the recent decline of British male marathon running. With 2 year of vigorous training and lifestyle change, 20 hours a week of training, follow Alex through his quest (racing, training, travels to Kenya and Ethiopia) to trying to qualify (run 2 hours 20 minutes at 2008 London Marathon) as part of the British marathon team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.