A new documentary has laid bare the highs and lows of six South Australian women in their push to compete in the gruelling New York Marathon.
I'm Not a Runner, produced by Adventure Time Films, followed the amateur athletes as they prepared for the 2018 edition of 42-kilometre event.
Executive producer James Wakelin, who grew up in Kimba on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula, said the most interesting stories often came from normal people being pushed outside their comfort zones.
"Some of the women did struggle at times, understandably," he said.
More than 60 of the South Australian women and men who competed in the New York marathon made it over the finish line.
Adelaide fitness trainer Anna Liptak convinced an amateur running group to rise to the challenge.
"There was a whole group of beginner runners training with Anna who were going to go to New York," Mr Wakelin said.
"She convinced them it's something they could do.
"It's about resilience and taking on a challenge.
Former MP competes
Barry Wakelin, the federal Member for Grey from 1993 to 2007, makes a cameo appearance in the documentary.
Now in his 70s, he prepared for the marathon on his farm near Kimba.
"At 6:00am I would start trudging up Whyalla Road and try varying the route," Mr Wakelin said.
"I went from the farm to a place called the Secret Rocks and that proved to me it was going to be a tough job."
But he got the job done alongside Margaret Liptak, also in her 70s.
"At one point I sprinted past her and she could not believe a chubby old chap could do that," Mr Wakelin said.
The documentary will be released this month.
