You can't run all the time. Next week, runners will have a unique opportunity to sit down and watch to benefit their training and motivation, when the award-winning documentary "Spirit of the Marathon" will appear in theaters across North America next Thursday.

The film, which took the Audience Choice Award at last year's Chicago International Film Festival, follows five runners of various ability and experience as they train and run the 2006 Chicago Marathon.

The runners featured include first-time marathoners and a masters mid-packer, as well as giving viewers a glimpse into the lives of elite professional Daniel Njenga and Olympic bronze medalist Diana Kastor.

"Spirit of the Marathon" tries to express what it means to undertake the ultimate running challenge. The film's promo calls it an "inspirational journey of perseverance and personal triumph: a spectacle that will be embraced by runners and nonrunners alike."

"Spirit of the Marathon" is a production that took four years to make and visited four continents. It is the production of three-time Academy Award winner Mark Jonathan Harris.

Harris, who writes and teaches at the University of Southern California's School of Cinema and Television, has made documentaries for the Sierra Club, Peace Corps and Sam Wiesanthal Center. His film about the period following the Holocaust won an Academy Award as Best Feature-length Documentary in 1997.

Others involved in the filmmaking include Telly Award winning director and experienced marathoner Jon Durham and producer/marathoner Gwendolen Twist.

Unfortunately, after perusing the Web, the film isn't opening in the Pittsburgh area next week.

If you prefer your marathon motivation from the comfort of your home, pop your own popcorn and view Nova's "Marathon Challenge" on your computer. The website www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/marathon includes the hour-long show in five parts, along with training calendar and tips.

"Marathon Challenge" aired on the PBS series in October and November and follows a group of 12 nonrunners as they prepare to compete in the Boston Marathon. It asks the question, "Can almost anyone — even someone who has been sedentary for years — become fit enough to run a marathon?"

"Marathon Challenge" examines the physiology of fitness and delves into not only how to become fit enough for the marathon, but also how to become healthy for life.

Nova includes the science as well as the art of marathon running, detailing what takes place inside a training athlete's body and explaining how all but one of the team members managed to complete, albeit slowly, the marathon challenge.

All the features on the Web site are enough to keep you glued to the computer chair until your next run.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Three Rivers Running Club Group Run, North Park. Run with new running group sponsored by Elite Runners and Walkers. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunners.com

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Run on country roads, post-run coffee. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.com

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training meeting, Monroeville. 800-482-8326 or www.teamintraining.org/mail

Saturday, 11 a.m.: Get Together Fun Run, Belle Vernon. Run 5, 10 or more miles on park trails in Cedar Creek Park, post-run chili. 724-379-9682 or w_bennett1@hotmail.com

Sunday, 10 a.m.: Bushwacker's Nightmare Trail Run, South Park. Choice of 5K or 10K with Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners Club. 724-348-6012

Sunday: Slippery Rock University Indoor All-Comers Track Meet. 724-738-2798

Jan. 26, 11 a.m.: Bulldogs Icebeaker 5K, Meadville. 814-807-0105 or 5kstace@alltel.net

Feb. 10, 8:30 a.m.: Frigid 5-Miler, Murraysville. Post-race pancake breakfast. 412-490-0881 or justind@eliterunners.com

Feb. 16, 11 a.m.: Ellport Boro Winter Wonderland 5K, Ellwood City. Help Herb Cratty celebrate his birthday. 724-758-2506 or bonnherb@yahoo.com

Race results

NexTier Bank Harmony Silvester 5K, Dec. 31: Cam Stauffer, 1st Overall M, 17:13; Marius Klein, 3rd Overall M, 18:29; Diana Filtz, 1st Overall W, 19:30; Sarah Thompson, 2nd Overall W, 21:08; Kelsey Hillock, 3rd Overall W, 23:25; Alex Mascio, 1st 14 and under M, 18:46; Steven Monnie, 1st 15-19 M, 18:59; Matt Davis, 2nd 15-19 M, 19:09; Rich Makin, 2nd 50-59 M, 19:49; Brendon Lemmex, 3rd 14 and under M, 20:03; Mitch Radella, 2nd 40-49 M, 20:17; Matt Marshall, 3rd 30-39 M, 20:25; Brent Collins, 3rd 40-49 M, 20:25; Eric Geddis, 3rd 15-19 M, 20:41; Stephen Mick, 2nd 20-29 M, 21:33; Dan Geier, 3rd 50-59 M, 23:33Joelle Scarnati, 1st 15-19 W, 23:38; Lou Alaksin, 2nd 60-69 M, 24:00; Levi McClelland, 3rd 20-29 M, 24:02; Tess Crispin, 2nd 15-19 W, 24:03; Kristen Kelosky, 1st 40-49 W, 24:05; Dez Csizmadia, 3rd 60-69 M, 24:18; Joella Baker, 1st 30-39 W, 24:25; Madeline Spigler, 1st 20-29 W, 24:41; Beth Lehman, 2nd 30-39 W, 25:05; Laura Hillock, 3rd 40-49 W, 25:34; Melissa Lynskey, 2nd 14 and under W, 25:44; Susan Altemus, 1st 50-59 W, 27:24Bob Watson, 21:21; Jim Gallagher, 21:22; Steve McKeever, 21:48; Cody Beahm, 2:10; Kemper May, 22:17; Bob Pudlo, 22:29; Roger McMurray, 22:51; Jim Lynskey, 23:19; Robert Miller, 23:22; Ben Nickel, 23:38; Jim Nickel, 23:41; Eric McCandless, 24:13; Pete Ekstam, 24:16; Frank Grannon, 24:22; Mike Bruno, 24:40; Nicole Kaceizza, 24:40; Bruce Hall, 24:42; Andrew Razanauskas, 24:44Megan Powell, 24:45; Matt Marchese, 24:45; Chris Matessa, 24:46; Carl Hill, 24:50; Griffin Matthew, 24:51; Phillip Mathew, 24:53; Jeremiah Friday, 24:54; Aaron Hall, 24:58; Ron Hartle, 25:02; Michael Farah, 25:11; Jacob Sarachine, 25:14; Rita McClelland, 25:26; Clint Hartle, 25:34; Bruce Faller, 25:36; Barb McCandless, 25:55; A.J. May, 26:03; Franklin Bame, 26:12; Mike Cornell, 26:18; Paul Patrick, 26:18; Mary Ann Patrick, 26:42; Maryclaire Maslyn, 26:43; Pam Kristoff, 27:01; Trey Razanauskas, 27:10John Sepe, 27:12; Phil Lope, 27:36; Cheryl Brock, 27:37; Maura Razanauskas, 27:48; Renee Decker, 27:53; Tom Murray, 28:20; Micheal Glew, 28:22; Amanda Fernandez, 28:26; Megan Peaco, 28:31; Patti Kitt, 28:45; Stevie Mick, 28:49; Patti Connors, 29:01; Heather Clark, 29:02; Ed Hirsh, 29:19; Nathan Repasky, 29:20; Henry May, 29:36; Eric May, 29:38; Steve Rocco, 29:46; Angelika Delerme, 30:10; Chris Cipro, 30:10\Jeff Byko, 30:20; Jeff Smith, 30:53; Melinda Miller, 31:08; Chuck Morse, 31:09; Dave Adams, 31:10; Whitney Corrigan, 31:20; Dayna Martin, 32:02; Michael Baxa, 32:08; Denny Lemmo, 32:15; Mark Knapp, 32:30; Jack Skelly, 32:42; Gary Torso, 33:17; Dana Bandas, 35:04; Debra Kuminkoski, 35:06; Stefan Bandas, 36:34; Andrew Beneigh, 36:34; Madison Glew, 36:38; Valerie Rizzo, 37:05; Eric Duchess, 39:10; Michelle Barto, 40:01; Beth Glew, 41:03; Morgan Peaco, 41:58; Ray Peaco, 41:58; Laurie Christy, 49:20; Brent Kendrick, 53:27Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone or fax: 724-352-4395. E-mail: bigp16@connecttime.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.