Fidel, Ernie and Adrian in
Journey to My LA Marathon

The documentary feature movie, Journey to My LA Marathon, chronicles the yearlong path of three special runners, Ernie Van Leeuwen, Adrian Broca, and Fidel Martinez to the climax of their annual training at the Los Angeles Marathon.  These three individuals inspire us to rethink ourselves and surpass the limitations of who we can yet be.

Fidel Martinez's dream was to run a marathon, but not just any marathon.  His focus for several years was to run his 50th marathon by his 50th birthday in his home town of Los Angeles.  But now Fidel lies asleep in a coma, having suffered a massive heart attack that will require quadruple by-pass surgery during what should have been his 50th marathon.  Lucky for Fidel, he still has 364 more days of being age 50.  He will need all of them to prepare himself for one last chance at his big dream, 50 by 50.

Ernie Van Leeuwen set new boundaries of what was possible beyond age 90.  Despite having just set the American record for fastest marathon in the 90+ class, Ernie finds himself needing major abdominal surgery and may never run again, let alone attempt a marathon.  Ernie's biggest desire is to prove to himself that he can overcome this setback and prepare for another go at the marathon at age 93.

Adrian Broca lost his vision at age 19.  To free himself from the constraints he first felt from being blind, he started running.  Adrian's dream is to perfect his marathon in Los Angeles, which for him, requires a performance under 3 hours, fast by any standard.

-Philip Steinman, director, Journey to My LA Marathon

Ernie Van Leeuwen biography

Fidel Martinez biography (coming soon)

Adrian Broca biography (coming soon)

Movie status: Journey to My LA Marathon is now in post-production.  (This project is independent of the great annual event, the Los Angeles Marathon)

To be notified of updates contact: