RUN FREE: THE TRUE STORY OF CABALLO BLANCO, a feature documentary directed by Sterling Noren, chronicles the life of American ultra running legend Micah True (Caballo Blanco, or the White Horse) and his quest to create an ultra marathon in Mexico's Copper Canyon to promote and preserve Tarahumara running tradition.

Micah True was an American ultra runner from Boulder, Colorado who lived and ran with the Tarahumara Indians in Northern Mexico. Micah’s message was simple - Run Free! - and he shared his enthusiasm for running by creating the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon (CCUM).

The Tarahumara (also known as the Rarámuri or the Running People) are a Native American people who live in Northwestern Mexico. With the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, the Tarahumara retreated to the high sierras and deep gorges of the Copper Canyon. Current estimates put their population between 50,000 and 70,000 people. They continue to live a traditional lifestyle based on farming and agriculture and are known to be some of the best long distance runners in the world.

True was a main character in Christopher McDougall’s best-selling book Born to Run – A Hidden Tribe, Super Athletes and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen.

Photo by Leslie Gaines.