The film strives to be inspirational and ends up being sentimental, but despite its flaws it conveys a sense of exhilaration and personal triumph.

Tavernier, who is also a documentary maker, keeps things straightforward and heartfelt; he focuses on the ups and downs of training that bring the two closer before the race begins, but also knows how to give impact to the event itself.

The Finishers is a wonderful, crowd-pleasing tearjerker from director Nils Tavernier.

You know exactly where it is going from the start but I cannot tell you how much I cried at the end. Honestly, it was embarrassing.