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The new film, "200 Miles," showing at Tribeca Film Festival Thursday, April 27, has the answer thanks to its main subject, Ultramarathoner Eric Gelber, of Chappaqua, N.Y.
- More than 250,000 steps
- 12 gallons of water; two liters of ginger ale
- Six pairs of shoes; nine pairs of socks
- One pound of salami (one of Gelber's favorite running foods), two cantaloupes, and a pound of boiled potatoes
- Five to 20-minute naps
- One Central Park pedicabber who rode 107 miles transporting the Tribeca documentary film crew.
The movie follows the father of three who, thanks to this event, made history by completing a record 200 miles around Central Park to raise awareness and one million dollars for the Norwalk-based Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF).
The organization was founded by two New Canaan sisters, Kathy Giusti and Karen Andrews soon after Giusti's diagnosis of multiple myeloma.
The film not only documents the ups and downs of Gelber's grueling run, but it also follows the stories of several multiple myeloma patients, including his late friend -- and source of much of his inspiration -- Anita.
“Anita was the beginning of the journey,” said Gelber. “Now it’s become way bigger than me."
Gelber does not have the illness but understands, after watching Anita battle the disease for many years, its hardships and challenges. His effort --- has been raising money for eight years -- has been formally dubbed, “The Journey Towards a Cure.”
His goal, he said, is to hopefully inspire others to do something for someone else.
"No matter how big or small, it doesn’t matter. It’s the sum of all our efforts that make the difference.”
The movie is at 6 p.m. at iPic Theaters, 11 Fulton St. After the event, it will be available on Tribeca’s YouTube page and on the MMRF’s page. The film will also be on Amazon Prime.
Gelber and his wife, Tani, will be honored by the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation on Tuesday, May 2 at its 15th Annual MMRF Laugh for Life: New York fundraiser. The event, at Chelsea Piers, NYC. features Comedian, Actor and TV Writer, Paul Reiser.
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