Going the Distance

Going the Distance is a 1979 Canadian documentary film directed by Paul Cowan about the 1978 Commonwealth Games. Produced by the National Film Board of Canada, it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.[1][2]

Cowan, who had been chosen for the project on the basis of his previous sports specials, shot part of the film himself, delegating other segments to Reevan Dolgoy, Georges Dufaux, Beverly Shaffer, Pierre Letarte and Tony Westman. Cowan chose to focus on eight athletes from four continents, including four Canadians: Toronto boxer John Raftery, thirteen-year-old Winnipeg gymnast Monica Goermann, and divers Linda Cuthbert and Janet Nutter. Also featured was New Zealand weightlifter Precious McKenzie. Athletes were filmed prior to the Games as well as in competition in Edmonton.[3][4]

The film had its broadcast premiere on August 4, 1979, on the CTV Television Network[4] and cost $840,000 to make, running for 90 minutes.[5]