'Running the Sahara' to be screened at the Admiral Theater
Sat, 02/27/2010
The Admiral Theater is holding a one night only screening of a documentary film called "Running the Sahara" on March 10 at 6:30 pm.
The film is produced and narrated by Matt Damon and is a story about 3 athletes who did something no one else had ever done or likely do again – literally run the equivalent of two marathons a day for 111 days to become the first modern runners to cross the Sahara Desert's grueling 4,000 miles.
Charlie Engle, Canadian Ray Zahab, and Kevin Lin, of Taiwan, ran the final stretch of their journey that took them through the Giza pyramids and Cairo to the mouth of Suez Canal on four hours of sleep. Once they hit the Red Sea, they put their hands in the water to signify crossing the finish line.
Engle will be on hand for the event to conduct a post screening Q&A. The price of admission also includes a copy of the DVD.
"We touched the water in Senegal at the beginning, and we touched the water in the Red Sea at the end. They were the bookends of our journey," Engle said on the telephone from a hotel room in Cairo.
In less than four months, they have run across the world's largest desert, through six countries — Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Libya and finally Egypt.
The trek is one of extremes. The relentless sun can push temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, but at night it sometimes dips below freezing. Strong winds can abruptly send sand swooping in every direction, making it difficult to see and breathe.
Not only is this film about the amazing endurance these athletes had, but their relationships they formed with the people populating their trip along the way.
The documentary delivers a message of hope and puts everyday challenges in perspective. “Running the Sahara tells an inspiring true story of three men on their quest to accomplish what most of us consider impossible,” said Damon, “The project also gave us a chance to call attention to the clean water crisis in that part of the world.”
For More Information
Music from U2, Pearl Jam, Wyclef Jean, and the African Children’s Choir are featured in this documentary. “I am proud to be part of such an amazing project,” said Wyclef Jean, whose music is an integral part of Running the Sahara. “I’ve seen suffering in the developing world firsthand and hope people not only enjoy the movie, but find ways that they can help those most in need.”
Charlie Engle will be on hand to give some amazing insight into this incredible journey.
TICKETS: Reserve your ticket online by visiting the Box Office at www.nehst.com.
Online Tickets: $25 (includes admission, post-film Q&A with Charlie Engle, and copy of the DVD)
Tickets at the Door: $35