The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and the Friends of the Visual Arts will present a free, one-night screening of “The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young” at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.
The documentary, directed by Annika Iltis and Timothy James Kane, is about a race in Tennessee in which, during its first 25 years, only 10 people have finished. Based on the historic prison escape of James Earl Ray, this cult like race tempts people from around the world to test their limits of physical and mental endurance, according to the synopsis at imdb.com.
The Barkley Marathons, created by ultra-runner Lazarus Lake, only accepts 35 runners each year, via secret application process. The race has an ever-changing and unmarked course, and participants battle through treacherous terrain to find hidden books as proof of following the route, according to imdb.com.
This screening is part of the School of Art’s monthly Friday Film Series and is sponsored in part by William Arscott, Nacogdoches Film Festival, Karon Gillespie, Mike Mollot, David Kulhavy, Brad Maule, John and Kristen Heath, Galleria Z, Jill Carrington, Jean Stephens, Jim and Mary Neal, Richard Orton, and Main Street Nacogdoches.
The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information, call (936) 468-1131.