The Greatest Run on Earth

This film documents Auckland's Round the Bays run, in 1980. Jogging was booming, with coach Arthur Lydiard and a band of Olympic champs (Peter Snell, John Walker, etc) inspiring the way. Here, participants run and reflect, from a blind runner, to children and an army squad. Slo motion sweat, sinew and samba shots frame the 70,000 runners, as members of an infectious cult chasing the piper around the waterfront. Adidas, terry towelling and facial hair make the film a relaxed 1970s update on Olympiad. Directed by Sam Pillsbury (The Scarecrow), it won awards at the Chicago and Torino Film Festivals.

Running gives me something ‘spiritual’ — which sounds a bit silly — but there’s something spiritual about it. There’s something about running that makes you feel part of ‘what is’ on the earth ... and I suppose Round the Bays is a celebration of that.

– Bill Taylor, running philosopher and ex-arthritis sufferer

Key Cast & Crew

John Cathcart

Sound Mix

Morton Wilson

Composer

Jamie Selkirk

Editor

Andrew Hagen

Composer

John Phillpotts

Cinematographer

Sam Pillsbury

Director, Writer, Producer