“The Why” Harley Student Explores Running Through Film

Eva Nielsen is a 2023 Harley School alumna who was empowered to pursue her passions for running and filmmaking during her Grade 12 Capstone project. As a runner, Eva was curious about the reasons behind why people ran, particularly long-distance and marathon runners. Using original video and interviews, Eva filmed, edited, and produced the documentary titled “The Why.” It explores the stories behind a runner’s purpose and dedication to the sport. Eva also reflects on her own running journey throughout her time at The Harley School. This fall, she looks forward to attending St. Lawrence University.

Q: What sparked your interest in running? 

A: I started running in Grade 7 when I joined the track and cross-country teams. I also was a softball pitcher, so I’ve always had an interest in fitness and enjoy staying active. 

Q: What did the process of filming and editing a documentary look like? What were the challenges? 

A: I produced this documentary on my own, so there were definitely challenges that presented themselves. It was difficult to balance my perfectionism with creating a compelling story. Throughout the process, I filmed on my iPhone and also had access to a professional camera with a microphone. For editing purposes, I was able to access the school’s digital media lab and Adobe Premiere Pro software.

Q: What does this documentary include? 

A: The documentary is primarily interview-focused. I interviewed my cross-country coach, my friends on the cross-country team, and pulled inspiration from well-known filmmaker and ultra runner Billy Yang and University of Oregon runner Ku Stevens. I also decided to include my own voice in the documentary to highlight some of my journal entries that give perspective to my “why.”

Q: What did the creation of this documentary lead you to discover about yourself and your running journey?

A: For the very first time, I had the opportunity to use an art form to express my passion. The creation of my documentary solidified my own understanding of the sport as well as how others perceive it. I proved to myself that I can be successful at tackling large projects like a 50-minute documentary. In the past, I had only made short, 3- to 5- minute films.

Q: Did you notice any common themes throughout the documentary? 

A: While producing my documentary, I had an “aha” moment about how similar yet different everyone’s “whys” are. It was fascinating to see the overlap between me and my fellow runners. I realized that perhaps our purposes aren’t so different after all. 

Q: Were you involved in any other projects that either inspired or related to your film? A: Yes! I have always been interested in the intersection between sports science and exercise science. In the fall I participated in an independent study to research the basics of athletic training during your menstrual cycle. I found that existing research focused more on men than on women. A female athlete is not a “smaller man.” My research led to my creation of educational posters that explained how to train during each phase of a woman’s cycle. This independent study sparked an interest in the physiology behind running and compelled me to investigate more about my sport and its effect on my body.