Ultra-distance trail running is a sport ripe for storytelling, which filmmaker Jeff Pelletier recognized when he first began chronicling his adventures back in 2018. Since then, his background in video production, married with his passion for exploring the world by trail, has produced dozens of compulsively watchable POV-style films of his experiences at events like UTMB, the 205-mile Tor des Géants, and most recently, a 7-day stage race in the country of Georgia. We talked to Jeff about the added challenges of filming himself during grueling ultramarathons; how YouTube is helping to grow the sport of trail running; the difference between storytelling and truth-telling; why longer races fit the script better than shorter ones; bucket-list fastpacking trips; and a whole lot more.
TOPICS & TIMES:
- Trail running in Vancouver, BC (4:59)
- Jeff’s background in video production (9:05)
- How YouTube helps grow trail running (10:27)
- Storytelling through races & Tor des Géants (17:45)
- ‘Racing Georgia’ (26:46)
- Travel tips (35:28)
- Fastpacking in the US & Europe (36:36)
- Choosing to film himself vs. someone else (44:26)
- Jeff’s relationship with Salomon (47:24)
- Thoughts on the S/LAB Genesis (50:50)
- Goals for 2023 (54:35)
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