Run the Race
Run the Race is a 2019 American Christian drama film directed by Chris Dowling. The story centers on two brothers in a small Southern town who grapple with their mother's death, financial struggles, and differing worldviews, finding solace and growth through high school sports like football and track. Produced by Tim Tebow and Robby Tebow, the film emphasizes themes of faith, perseverance, and family bonds.[1][2][3] The narrative follows star athlete Zach Truett, played by Tanner Stine, who dreams of a college football scholarship to escape his circumstances but faces a devastating knee injury. His younger brother, Dave Truett (Evan Hofer), competes in track while dealing with his own challenges, including a strained relationship with their alcoholic father, Michael Truett (Kristoffer Polaha). Supporting roles include Frances Fisher as their mother in flashbacks and Kelsey Reinhardt as Ginger, a nurse intern who becomes a romantic interest for Zach. The screenplay, written by Jason Baumgardner and Jake McEntire, draws from real-life inspirations to highlight redemption through Christian faith.[1][2][4] Released on February 22, 2019, by Roadside Attractions, Run the Race had a production budget of $1.5 million and grossed $6.4 million at the domestic box office. It premiered earlier at the Christian Worldview Film Festival in March 2018. Critically, the film holds a 44% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on nine reviews, with praise for its inspirational message but criticism for heavy-handed preaching. Audiences responded more positively, giving it an 82% score, appreciating its uplifting portrayal of brotherhood and resilience. With a runtime of 101 minutes, the PG-rated movie targets faith-based viewers and has been distributed on platforms like Amazon Prime Video.[2][3][1]Synopsis
Plot
In the small town of Bessemer, Florida, high school seniors Zach and Dave Truett navigate daily hardships after their mother's death from cancer two years earlier and their father Mike's subsequent abandonment due to alcoholism.[4] The brothers live alone in a rundown home in the poorest part of town, working night shifts stocking shelves at a local grocery store owned by their supportive godmother, Louise.[5] Zach, an all-star running back on the high school football team, earns the nickname "The Hammer" for his powerful style and focuses intensely on winning the state championship to secure a college scholarship, seeing it as their only way out of poverty.[2] Dave, more introverted and devout, attends church regularly and provides emotional stability for his brother amid their grief and financial struggles.[6] Zach's ambitions are derailed during a late-night party where he gets into a physical altercation with players from a rival school, resulting in a severe knee injury that ends his football season and scholarship prospects.[7] Recovering in the hospital, Zach meets Ginger, a compassionate nursing assistant and fellow student who becomes his girlfriend; her strong Christian faith begins to challenge his growing bitterness toward God and their circumstances.[5] Meanwhile, Dave, initially reluctant about sports, discovers his natural talent for track under the guidance of their school's coach, Hailey, and joins the team as a way to pursue a scholarship for both brothers.[8] Interactions with their pastor, who delivers sermons on perseverance and forgiveness, further influence Dave, who urges Zach to confront their unresolved anger over their father's absence.[6] As Zach spirals into frustration, lashing out at family and friends, tense confrontations escalate, including a heated encounter with Mike, who has been living in isolation consumed by guilt and drinking.[9] Ginger and the pastor support Zach through his doubts, encouraging him to release his pain through prayer and reconciliation.[7] Dave faces his own challenges in track training but persists, highlighting his growing reliance on faith. The story builds to a climax at a pivotal track meet, where Dave's performance becomes a turning point for the family; Mike appears seeking forgiveness, leading to emotional reunions and the brothers' gradual embrace of hope and mutual support.[5] The narrative resolves with the Truett family beginning to heal, as Zach and Dave find renewed purpose through faith and their bond.[4]Themes
"Run the Race" employs sports, particularly football and track, as a central metaphor for the Christian concept of life's spiritual journey, drawing directly from Hebrews 12:1, which urges believers to "run with endurance the race that is set before us." This imagery underscores the film's exploration of perseverance amid personal trials, portraying athletic challenges as symbolic of broader existential struggles where determination and discipline lead to personal growth and redemption. The narrative highlights how physical setbacks, such as injuries, represent life's unforeseen obstacles that test one's resolve, ultimately fostering resilience when met with faith.[10] A key theme is the transformative role of faith in confronting bitterness and loss, particularly in the context of familial abandonment and grief. The film depicts prayer and involvement in a church community as vital support systems that provide emotional and spiritual sustenance, enabling characters to move beyond resentment toward healing and hope. This Christian worldview contrasts secular pursuits, like using athletic scholarships as a means of escape from hardship, with spiritual redemption, suggesting that true fulfillment arises from aligning one's ambitions with divine purpose rather than material success alone.[11][12] Family reconciliation and forgiveness form another cornerstone, emphasizing the biblical prodigal son motif in addressing estrangement from absent parents. Through brotherly bonds and surrogate familial figures, the story illustrates how forgiveness liberates individuals from cycles of anger, promoting unity and mutual support as pathways to overcoming small-town stagnation and discovering purpose through God's grace. The portrayal critiques the limitations of isolated, unexamined lives while affirming that faith-infused relationships offer enduring hope and renewal.[13][10]Cast and crew
Cast
The principal cast of Run the Race centers on the Truett family, with Tanner Stine portraying Zach Truett, the older brother and high school football star whose dreams of a college scholarship are threatened by a severe injury, pushing him toward personal redemption and escape from his troubled home life.[14] Evan Hofer plays Dave Truett, the younger brother who channels his grief into track and field, striving to fulfill a promise to their deceased mother while supporting his sibling.[15] Both Stine and Hofer deliver their first major leading roles in the film, bringing authenticity to the athletic demands of their characters—Stine drawing from his own experience as a high school quarterback.[14][1] Kelsey Reinhardt appears as Ginger, Zach's devoted girlfriend and a young nurse whose faith influences his journey, marking Reinhardt's feature film debut.[16] Kristoffer Polaha stars as Michael Truett, the estranged and struggling father whose absence exacerbates the brothers' hardships.[17] In supporting roles, Mario Van Peebles plays Pastor Bennett Baker, a compassionate church leader who offers spiritual guidance to the family.[18] Mykelti Williamson portrays Coach Hailey, the track coach who mentors Dave and emphasizes discipline and perseverance.[17] Frances Fisher appears in flashbacks as Louise Truett, the late mother whose memory drives the brothers' motivations.[19]| Actor | Character | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tanner Stine | Zach Truett | Older brother, football prodigy facing injury and family loss |
| Evan Hofer | Dave Truett | Younger brother, track athlete honoring family promises |
| Kelsey Reinhardt | Ginger | Zach's girlfriend, providing emotional and faith-based support |
| Kristoffer Polaha | Michael Truett | Absent father grappling with alcoholism and regret |
| Mario Van Peebles | Pastor Bennett Baker | Church pastor offering guidance and community |
| Mykelti Williamson | Coach Hailey | Track coach mentoring Dave on resilience |
| Frances Fisher | Louise Truett | Deceased mother, seen in flashbacks |