I’ve been a runner since I was 16. I ran Cross Country at Arizona State University and can remember skipping class my sophomore year of college to watch Joan Benoit compete in (and win) the very first women’s Olympic Marathon in Los Angeles in 1984. Although my fastest times are now behind me, my passion for the sport has never waned.

I'm currently producing my first documentary film, "Miles & Trials: Running Towards 2012". The film will follow the journeys of four of Chicago's top female distance runners as they attempt to qualify for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Team Trials. This film is for every woman who has ever put on a pair of running shoes, and everyone who knows a runner.

For more information, please visit my website: Miles and Trials Film

— Wendy Shulik, Producer/Cinematographer/Editor

"Miles and Trials: Running Towards 2012": A Film About Runners by a Runner. Run Fast, Dream Big!

Hi everyone,

I'm a video producer for the running industry and owner of WendyCity Productions, based in Chicago, IL. I'm also a distance runner.

I'm currently producing my first documentary film, "Miles & Trials: Running Towards 2012". The film will follow the journeys of some of Chicago's top female distance runners as they attempt to qualify for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Team Trials. We began production on this film in early 2010 and have followed these women and their challenges of balancing family, grad school, work and injuries as they train to qualfy for the Trials. It is my hope that by telling the stories of these fast women that we can make a difference for runners everywhere, whether that be to inspire and motivate or secure better sponsorships for our local elite athletes. This film is for every woman who has ever put on a pair of running shoes, and everyone who knows a runner.

As you can imagine, producing an independent film in today's economy is more than challenging, considering our many production costs such as gear rental, hiring crew, travel expenses, computer hardware and software and a million other things that add up. That's why we need your help. We're about to shoot our next segment at the Chicago Marathon on October 9th and need financial support. We expect to see some of our athletes qualify for the Trials in Chicago but can't capture their success if we can't cover our costs. Please consider donating to our film fund - every dollar directly supports this production by expanding the filmmaker's resources. You can make your donation by visiting our website and clicking on the red  "Donate" button at the lower left, here: http://www.wix.com/wendysity1/milesandtrialsfilm

Anything you can do to help us will be very meaningful! Here is our film trailer where you can learn more about this project.

"Miles & Trials: Running Towards 2012" Trailer (LP) from WendyCity Productions on Vimeo.

Sincerely,  

— Wendy Shulik, Producer/Cinematographer/Editor