GOLDEN HOUR | The Best Hour in Ultrarunning
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- čas přidán 27. 06. 2020
- The Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run is the world’s oldest 100-mile trail race. Starting in Olympic Valley, California it ends 100.2 miles later in Auburn, California. Western States draws the top ultrarunners in the world, who can finish the race in under 15 hours. But perhaps the race’s most exhilarating finishes happen in double that time, as everyday people try to finish under the 30-hour time cutoff.
Known as the Golden Hour, the final hour of the race is a celebration of persistence, courage, and grit. It is what 7-time Western States top-10 finisher Andy Jones-Wilkins calls "the best hour in ultrarunning." It is an hour that defines the sport.
This is the story of Golden Hour.
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Austin Meyer is a documentary filmmaker, photographer, podcast host, and ultra runner. He is a National Geographic Explorer and the 2015 winner of the New York Times International Reporting trip with Nicholas Kristof competition. His work has been published by The New York Times, Washington Post, National Geographic, The Atlantic, Al Jazeera, and Slate among others. His documentary films have screened at the American Documentary Film Festival and the Mill Valley Film Festival. On his podcast titled The Austin Meyer Podcast, Austin interviews the world's best storytellers in all sorts of genres about how they craft the stories they tell.
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Website: austinmeyerfilms.com
Instagram: / austinmeyerfilms
Podcast: apple.co/315B3bu
LinkedIn: / austinmeyerfilms
Twitter: / ameyerfilms
Facebook: / austinmeyerfilms
TikTok: bit.ly/austinmeyerfilmstiktok
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Subscribe to my newsletter for monthly updates and giveaways: bit.ly/austinmeyernewsletter
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© Austin Meyer Films
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austinmeyerfilms@gmail.com - Sport
Disclaimer: May cause a joyous rush of endorphins and increase gratitude on your next run. Fantastic work Austin!
hahahha I love this. Kristin, I think I need to hire you to write the copy and credits for my next film :)
Austin Meyer (No joke, I’d love to! I’m a writer by trade ☺️)
While I look up to runners like Courtney and Camille and Jim so much, these are the stories I wish were told more often. So inspiring, so well done. Congrats to the golden hour finishers!
I really appreciate it Krista! I hear you on that. I will do my best to continue shining a light on some of these stories that often get overshadowed :)
The footage of the runner finishing down the home straight with a minute to go was incredible!
Thank you, climbthruthetide! I was running with my camera on the gimbal and was just thinking to myself, "don't screw this up, don't screw this up" hahaha
As a "Golden Hour" finisher 6 years ago, this brings back a flood of emotion! The support one gets from complete strangers is absolutely incredible. Being cheered on by the residents in the Robie Point area, mile 99, caused me to start crying like a 2 year old!! 1500 plus volunteers that have the sole motive of getting you to the finish line in under 30 hours. They are the selfless heroes of WS100, or any ultra.
AMEN! Such an incredible community. Congrats on being a Golden Hour finisher David! A badge of honor you will have for life
And you deserve their applause. I'm crying
Who's cutting onions
Guilty :)
SO GOOD. I'll keep saying it, SO GOOD, AUSTIN.
Thank you!!
Not about the front. Not about the race. Not about the records. But about the heart. The heart of running. Terra is all of us. Her emotion just talking about it shows you what it means. Thank you for sharing
BOOM. So well said Mark. I should add this to the description of the video it is so spot on! "Terra is all of us"
@@austinmeyerfilms feel free Austin. Fantastic filmmaking
Thank you Mark! 🙏
Oh man, i'm tearing up watching this
Let the tears flow, Brooks! Haha. Thank you so much for watching. So glad you enjoyed :)
Me too. Needed some motivation to go out and run. This more than did the job.
Me either
Absolutely love this film. There's a ton of great content on CZcams about the superstar runners, but the stories of normal people achieving their dreams are equally incredible. Thanks for shining a light on this!
Thank you, David! I really appreciate this comment and that you took the time to watch :)
For back of the field 'garden variety' runners this is a feast of mental nourishment.
Man, these all make me want to run ultras. I guess I better start running.
Thank you so much for including me in this incredible homage to the heart of ultra running. It took everything I had to finish but ultimately it was about the people that got me to the finish....that hour is magical and I am so grateful to have been slow enough on my 57th birthday to savor it. What a beautiful legacy you have left us, the golden hour finishers of 2019! Thank you Austin for such a wonderful tribute! Lots of love, Francesca Stone #57
Hey Francesca! Aw, this makes me so happy. I was really looking forward to some of the other Golden Hour finishers seeing this film. Congratulations on such an incredible finish! And congratulations for having such a big crew of friends and family to see you to that finish line
Frankie! I just finished watching 'Heart of Stone' it was so great. Congratulations on your finish!
Respect🤙🏾
Sorry that you couldn't release this in conjunction with this year's race, but in a way this might be better since people can still experience what this race is about, even though the race is not happening...
Absolutely right. Thanks for giving it your all last year and letting me film your journey!
This is amazing, Austin. ❤️😭Not going to lie, I didn't expect to cry this much but I guess that's truly the power of a finish line. Well done!
Aww, I love to hear this, Kris! Thank you so much for watching and opening up your heart and tear ducts (haha) to the Golden Hour!
The elites and podium finishers keep the sport in the spotlight but it’s runners like this that keep it alive. Thanks for this!
Love this comment! Amen! Thank you for watching
Love this!
chills
WOW what an amazing film. Thank you Austin for making it, and a massive congrats to all the finishers.
Thanks for watching Tom! I really appreciate it
Omg that was awesome. Well done Terra and all the other finishers *wipes eyes*
Terra is my hero! She was brave enough to agree to talk to me the day before the race when she saw me holding a paper sign that read "I am making a film on Golden Hour. Talk about your excitement for the race for 5 minutes?"
Beautiful--I found this after watching another video about the Golden Hour finishers from last weekend (2021 WSER). I find this so much more moving than the videos about the top finishers!
thank you for watching! so glad you enjoyed it :)
Brings back some great memories. I have to say that this video is so well done...BUT....it made me even more sad that I was not there this year due to Covid. I hope and pray that next year we are back to normal and that we will all be back at States next year. Great job Austin...Stay safe everyone...
Amen, Randy. I never could have imagined that this film would in some way be our community's experience of Western States in 2020. Can't wait until we are all back out there together again
Love this! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching, Terri!
That's a nice film.
The best story and emotional cinematography in any ultra are always at the back of the pack. I began ultra-marathon running at 58 after watching a single You Tube of Gunhild Swansons finish. I thought if she could complete a 100km race then so could I. Only, about six months later did I discover it was 100 miles! It was too late then. These videos emotionally charge me. Please do more!
If this film can motivate someone to start running or ultrarunning, I will be SO happy :) Thank you so much for watching Paul!
Thank you! This was great to see.
Thank you Jeremy. Grateful for you watching and sharing your thoughts!
Man, i'm sat here with tears in my eyes. Great job, and great job runners. X
Beautiful!
thank you!!
So cool!!! Made me cry!!
So much emotion ! Thanks !
Thank you, Eclipse!
Sooooo good! Thank you for creating!
Thank you for watching, Robbie!
Great work Austin!!! Loved it
Thank yoU!!
So awesome. Thanks for that
Thanks for watching!
Reminder set! Can't wait to watch this.
Woo! Hope you enjoy it, Tom!
Absolutely amazing!
Thank you for watching, Ryan!
Fantastic!
I appreciate it TJM! So glad you liked it
OMG I LOVE THSI
Absolutely incredible! So moving!
Thank you for watching, GypsyHiker Monica!!
Such an amazing film!!! Thank you
Thank you for watching Tyler!
Excellent!
thank you!
Best birthday present ever!! Can't wait to watch
Thank you Keegan! Wishing you the happiest of Golden Hour birthdays!
Absolutely excellent!
Thank you Meredith!
Thank you for this!! So inspiring. 🙏
Thank you for watching :) So glad it inspired you!
So beautifully captured!!
Thank you, Laura!
Wow, that was amazing
Fantastic! Thank you for this video. :)
Thanks Susan! So glad you liked it :)
Amazing. What an experience. This is what life is all about.
Aww.. what a powerful video Austin!! Thank you. I'm tearing up watching this.
:) Thank you Be Unlimited. Warms my heart to hear that. Thank you for watching!
Thanks for the inspiration and motivation Austin.
Thank you for watching, Julie! So happy that the story inspired you
Thank you very much Austin, great video. Congratulations.
Thank you for watching, Fahad! I'll pass on your congratulations to all those who dared to step foot on that WS100 starting line!
This is beautiful.
Thank you so much Peter!
Thank you! Much love for making something so damn motivating!
Thank you!! I really appreciate it!
This gave me chills, man! Unbelievably inspiring
Thank you for watching, Tyler! so glad you found it compelling!
Still watching this, it is that good. Great work.
Thank you so much, Arindya!
What a lovely video. Great job 👏👍
Thank you Bumblebee Running!
Soooo Good Austin 👏👏 Got goosebumps watching this 🙏
thank you for watching, Allan! So glad you enjoyed
This is so great! I will save this for inspiration! 65 years young
This is amazing
Thanks for watching and sharing, brother!
All of them are badass rockstars!
That's the truth right there!
Incredible stuff. Please make more like this 😀
Will do! thanks for watching :)
Awesome film.
Thank you, John!
Excellent film editing and music - tears in my eyes from the start. Thank you!
Aw, I love to hear this. Thank you for watching Natasha! I love inspirational tears :)
This is why I love ultrarunning!
Me too
Excellent video, very inspiring, thank you - Subscribed.
Thank you so much, Rob!
Omg I don't know any of the runners, but I cried just to see the courage to finish and cross the finish line 🙏
Aww, I love that Mariposa. Thank you so much for watching and cheering on these amazing runners!
All of the feels
Thank you for watching!
One day, man, one day... Awesome movie. Thanks for sharing.
You'll be there Pablo!
Such a GOOD Film! Good job everybody!
thank you for watching!
I cried like a baby for all of that...brilliant
Thank you for watching, Owen!
Wow! How inspirational. Thank you for this beautiful piece of work! 🙏❤
Thank you for watching, Alex!
Loved it.
Thank you for watching, Aman!
Incredible work, Austin! What an amazing film!! Thank you :-)
Thank you so much, Alastair!
How perfect!!! Can't wait.
♥️👍🙏
Hope you liked it Stephanie! Thanks for tuning in for the premiere!
Well, now I'm crying. Amazing job by both you and also all of the finishers.
Thank you CharlieTibbs! :)
Absolutely amazing. I am so moved and inspired by this, Austin!! INCREDIBLE film
My man! Thank you brother. So grateful for you
The BEST running short film i've seen!....(look..squirrel)
Thanks!
Thank you, Mangai!
I just found your channel. The running content is excellent, I hope there’s more to come. Thank you.
Thank you Paul! I really appreciate it. I hope to do more as well :) I have a backpacking video coming to the channel tomorrow, so keep an eye out for it!
Wow!! incredibly moving and inspiring! Fantastic film, many thanks!
Thank you for watching, Karl. It means the world to me!
🙌🙌 Amazing
Thank you Gilbert!
When I’m mad that a film is too short it’s a great one. Thanks. Needed this one right now. Had tears early in this one.
Thissss! Haha! Definitely what I love to hear as a filmmaker. Thank you so much Paul. Hope you are having an amazing Sunday!
Amazing film.... beauty of nature and the human spirit!!
Thank you! All HEART
Juste amazing
Thanks for watching!
Amazing. Well done everyone in the race and great videography
Thank you so much, Michael! Really appreciate it
Wonderful!!! I could watch people finish Ultras for hours! Great film! Congratulations to all finishers!
Hahaha, I know, me too! Maybe next year my film should show every single finisher :) That would be epic haha
heck yeah!! Awesome work Austin! Shared the film with a few ultrarunner friends of mine- all are raving!! Bravo !
Thank you, Maya! Based on our conversation on Insta, I think you may be lining up at WS100 one day!
Oh man, the finish line gets me every time 😭, beautiful!
Thank you, Colin! Can never go wrong showing 5 minutes straight of everyday heroes accomplishing their dreams!
Thank You for sharing this...
i will be there i dont when but i will be in the western 100.....
You got this Maiong! I hope to see you there one day :)
Instant tears for me seeing the emotion on these faces as they push through the grit. I'm no runner, but in my two (much smaller) races I've come in at 8:54 and 8:57 with a 9h cutoff. Despite being among the last finishers, this video nails the feeling of community and support that comes with this type of running - I was made to feel like I'd broken the course record. It's a feeling I've been chasing ever since. Gratitude, simple as that
Thank you for making a film about the golden hour of running. This will stick with me when I'm out there training. Excellent work and congratulations to the runners!
YES! I love to hear that it will motivate you during training. that is what it is ALL about
Grateful for all who shared their story.
Amen! Me too!
These are the people that inspire me to run. Not the elite sponsored ones I don’t even know their names I remember Scott Jurek but after his time I stopped caring about them. I love these people who are like me.
These runners inspire me too! Thanks for watching
Omg I love her haha as soon as she started tearing up I'm like 😭😭😭😭😭
Haha, I am definitely going to share this comment with Terra :) Thank you so much for watching Mel!
Austin, THANK YOU for this video! It’s the obvious fun to see the pros, but this is the real gem. I’ve got the bug for ultras and this is the kind of video I’ll come back to to keep my fire lit. So fantastic.
Kate, thank you for watching!! I'm so happy that this video can inspire your ultra pursuits :) That means the world to me
emotional, great film, kudos to GRL podcast for sending me here, great job Austin! maybe one day ill be lucky to be at Western States.
thank you for watching! so glad that you enjoyed it :)
Fantastic video from a very unique perspective! Definitely just earned yourself a subscriber. Keep up the great work man!
Thank you so much, Niklaus! I really appreciate it so much
You told the story so well. When you pull the emotion into it, you've achieved some magic. Congratulations.
Thank you, Morten! I really appreciate it
Great work Austin! Loved the part about becoming familiar with the uncomfortable. Pain and discomfort, whether physical or emotional, are indeed great teachers.
I agree Johan! Thank you so much for watching!
Dear me. Terra you made me cry, but that smile you gave when you received your buckle. Pure triumph! Austin, that was 16:39 of absolute magic. Thank you.
Austin - Outstanding. Your story telling is authentic. You allow the protagonists and cinematography speak for themselves. Congratulations. As a “veteran” ultrarunner it warms my heart and soul to see the next generation of our beloved sport in such capable hands. You “get it” and for that I - we as a community are eternally grateful. Pay it forward, onward!
Wow, this comment means the world to me Bob. It is such an honor to represent this sport both as a runner and as a storyteller. Authenticity, letting individuals speak for themselves, and capturing the essence of the sport are my ultimate goals. To know those resonated with a veteran of the sport like you is fills my heart!
Beautiful. So glad I was able to run today. Very well edited film. Thank you. Also, good job to all those amazing runners!
Thank you for watching, Jason!
Great footage, Austin. I bet its making every ultrarunner choke up!
Thank you, Rohan!
Very inspiring story. This is a good example of qoute "Don't stop when your tired, stop when you're done"
How I wish I can run international endurance in near future..