The Hillbilly Scientist
The only authorised Lazarus Lake documentary
2026 · 1h 15m
Documentary
Directed by
Paul Mellor
,
Luke Jarmey
Overview
While modern running has evolved toward sleek curation, optimisation, and commercialisation, Lazarus Lake has spent 50 years designing formats with an unapologetic, honest difficulty. The Hillbilly Scientist reveals that Laz’s cruellest courses are rooted in a deeply scientific understanding of human psychology and physical limits. This is the only official documentary dedicated to the creator of the Barkley Marathons and Big’s Backyard Ultra. Filmed over more than a year, it reveals the man behind the myth through never-before-seen footage, exclusive testimonials, and exceptional access to Laz’s world.
Director and cast
More films
Wainwright Record Attempt (2015)
Adventure · Documentary
The unassuming and unlikely Steve Birkinshaw is one of the great fell runners. In this Lakeland tale of epic proportions, family man Steve turns to the people's champion as an inspirational figure through this extraordinary challenge. Have your mind and arteries blown as Steve attempts to break the legendary Joss Naylor's 27 year old r...
- Runtime
- 44m
- Cast
- Steve Birkinshaw
Transamericana (2020)
Documentary
In a time of uncertain politics and a crescendo of differences, American Ultra-Runner Rickey Gates sets off on foot across America. In the midst of the 2106 National Elections, which saw Republican candidate Donald Trump win the presidential elections, Gates realised that the America he knew wasn’t necessarily the America that was. Int...
- Runtime
- 1h 15m
- Cast
- Rickey Gates
Last Women Standing: The Barkley Marathons 2019 (2019)
Documentary · N/A
In 2019, inov-8 ambassador and breast cancer survivor Nicky Spinks attempted to become the first-ever woman to complete The Barkley Marathons – the world’s toughest ultra-running race. This film tells the story of Nicky, and her fellow female runners, as they battle treacherous terrain, wild weather and the twisted mind of Barkley Mara...
- Runtime
- 40m
- Cast
- Nicky Spinks
47 Summits (2019)
Documentary
A film following Huw Jack Brassington as he attempts to run the notorious Paddy Buckley Round - a 100 km fell running challenge. Those who are brave enough to take on the round must climb 8,000 meters over 47 of Wales' highest mountains in just 24 hours. But when a massive summer storm hits Snowdonia, Huw must push the boundaries of hi...
- Runtime
- 46m
- Cast
- Huw Jack Brassington
A Long Way From Nowhere (2023)
Documentary · N/A
What compels a person to run 150 miles through the desert at the height of summer? Is it the need for achievement, the competitive instinct, or something deeper? A Long Way From Nowhere is a different sort of extreme sports film—one centered not around winning or extraordinary spectacle—but instead one focused upon the human spirit—on ...
- Runtime
- 1h
- Cast
- Tim Barr, Reid Delman, Phil Pinti
Underground (2007)
Action · Not Rated
In the UK suburbs, an underground tournament is set to challenge twelve fighters from different backgrounds to compete for the price of £500,000. They have been handpicked for a no-holds barred competition that will push each fighter to their limit. Each fighter has their own reason for competing, and each will give everything they've ...
- Runtime
- 1h 35m
- Director
- Chee Keong Cheung
- Cast
- Mark Strange, Nathan Lewis, Joey Ansah
Bodyguard: A New Beginning (2008)
Action · Drama · Thriller · R
Leung is the bodyguard of a Chinese Triad boss, Wong, to whom his loyalty is unrivaled. Living in Hong Kong, Wong requests that his bodyguard travel to the UK to protect a young British woman, whose true identity is known only by Wong himself. Even Wong's son, Yuen, is kept in the dark, which leads to a betrayal that threatens to destr...
- Runtime
- 1h 35m
- Director
- Chee Keong Cheung
- Cast
- Vincent Sze Cho-Lam, Richard Ng Yiu-Hon, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa





Comments
Talk about the film with other members