To Run: Ross Martin

The 1971 documentary To Run demonstrates the lengths athletes go to for a fighting chance against the chilly hurdles of winter sports.

In the film, cross-country skier Ross Martin preps for the 1968 Winter Olympic Games in Grenoble. We glimpse his rigorous training: running in the heat, trudging up snowy peaks in skis, and sit-ups on any plank of wood at hand.  

Stylistic quirks of '70s cinema – split screens, quick cuts, focus on gritty movement – highlight Martin’s non-stop ‘body machine’. The constant action suggests that stamina and drive are a must when it comes to enduring the elements. 

Australian masters of ice and snow have taken a while to warm up. They've competed in the Winter Games since 1936, but didn’t take home gold until speed skater Steven Bradbury’s unforgettable 2002 victory, after all his competitors famously stacked it. We’ve continued to win medals since, and today’s athletes echo Martin’s determination.