The Hard Way
The Hard Way
The Hard Way is the inspirational story of Bob Hayes, an 89-year-old who runs 30 races each year, cuts his firewood by hand and does things the hard way to remain active and alive. The film takes us on a journey that’s about more than running, it teaches us to live life with purpose and momentum.
The Hard Way is the inspirational story of Bob Hayes, an 89-year-old who runs 30 races each year, cuts his firewood by hand and does things the hard way to remain active and alive. The film takes us on a journey that’s about more than running, it teaches us to live life with purpose and momentum.
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to contribute cash and loan items - or - Make a contribution by selecting an incentive directly.
Select This Incentive
$10 USD
Social Media Shoutout and a Big Hug
+ We'll give you a big shoutout through social media.
+ Unless we see you in person, then we'll give you a hug.
Claimed: 14 of 'Unlimited'
Select This Incentive
$25 USD
The Hard Way HD Digital Download
+ HD digital download of The Hard Way, ..... and a big hug!
Claimed: 89 of 'Unlimited'
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$50 USD
Be Like Bob T-shirt
+ Get this sweet tri-blend cotton t-shirt with the Be Like Bob logo!
Womens (S,M,L, XL) Mens (S,M,L,XL)
We'll get your size when we reach our funding campaign goal!
Add $10 for international shipping.
Claimed: 33 of 'Unlimited'
Select This Incentive
$100 USD
Signed Movie Poster
+ Get a movie poster signed by Bob.
+ HD digital download of the film, The Hard Way.
Add $10 for international shipping.
Claimed: 10 of 'Unlimited'
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$200 USD
Thunderbolt 30k Race Entry
+ One race entry into Montana's Thunderbolt 30k.
+ Very scenic, non-technical 30k trail race with 3000 feet of climbing near Helena, Montana.
+ Race date is Saturday July 16, 2016 (or reserve your spot for 2017).
Claimed: 0 of 1
Select This Incentive
$200 USD
Bridger Ridge Run Race Entry
+ Touted as one of the most technical trail races in the U.S., here's your chance to test your mettle in the Bridger Mountains of southwest Montana.
+ Race date is Aug. 13, 2016 (or reserve your spot for 2017).
Sold Out!
Select This Incentive
$200 USD
Devil's Backbone 50 Mile Race Entry
+ The Devil's Backbone, which traverses the Gallatin Crest,is one of Montana's most beautiful trail races. This is your chance to try it!
+ Race date is Saturday July 16, 2016 (or reserve your spot for 2017).
Sold Out!
Select This Incentive
$200 USD
Cross Cut Ranch 25k or 15k Race Entry
+ One entry into the Cross Cut Ranch 25k or 15K
+ A great new trail race that covers single track between Bridger Bowl and Bohart Ranch in the Bridger Mountains outside of Bozeman, Montana.
+ Race date is Saturday July 23, 2016 (or reserve your spot for 2017).
Claimed: 0 of 1
Select This Incentive
$250 USD
The Bob Bundle
+ Social Media Shoutout and a big hug
+ The Hard Way HD digital download
+ Be Like Bob t-shirt
+ Signed Movie poster with Bob's great calligraphy signature
Add $10 for international shipping.
Claimed: 5 of 'Unlimited'
Select This Incentive
$300 USD
Half Marathon Sponsor
The Half Marathon Sponsor package is perfect for your small business.
+ Your business's name in the credits at the end of the film
+ Your business's logo or photo highlighted on our Facebook page with a social media shoutout during the campaign.
Claimed: 4 of 'Unlimited'
Select This Incentive
$500 USD
Marathon Sponsor
The Marathon Sponsor package is perfect for your business.
+ Your business's logo and name in the credits at the end of the film
+ Your business's logo posted to The Hard Way website
+ Your business's logo or photo highlighted on our Facebook page with three social media shoutouts throughout the campaign.
Claimed: 6 of 'Unlimited'
Select This Incentive
$500 USD
Missoula Marathon Entries Package
+ Two entries for the Missoula Marathon (2016 or 2017)
+ One dinner for two at the Thomas Meagher Bar in downtown Missoula
+ Race weekend is July 8-10, 2016 or 2017
Claimed: 0 of 1
Select This Incentive
$1,000 USD
Ultra Marathon Sponsor
+ Associate Producer credit
Plus The Bob Bundle:
+ Social Media Shoutout and a big hug
+ The Hard Way HD digital download
+ Be Like Bob t-shirt
+ Signed Movie poster
Claimed: 0 of 10
Select This Incentive
$4,000 USD
Executive Producer on The Hard Way
+ An Executive Producer credit on The Hard Way
+ Plus the Bob Bundle
+ Attend an invitation-only theatrical screening of the film with the filmmakers
Claimed: 0 of 3
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Story
About The Project
The Hard Way is an uplifting story about the human drive to continue doing what we love late into life.
Bob Hayes, 89, still runs nearly every day.
“I don’t need to do things the easy way, I need to do things the hard way because I have the time and it keeps me in shape,” Hayes says.
When he’s not running, he’s cutting his own firewood by hand, hauling hay to his cattle or tapping his maple tree for syrup.
The Hard Way follows Bob as he trains for the Bighorn 50k ultra marathon, the last race he ran with his wife before she passed away nine years ago from Alzheimer’s Disease.
As Bob pushes 90, longer races take a larger toll. How will Bob’s cadence of hard work and intention help him navigate the challenges of aging?
This documentary takes us on a journey that’s about more than running. Bob teaches us about living a life with purpose and momentum. The documentary gives the audience insight into the daily practice of living the hard way.
We spent over a year following Hayes through the trials and triumphs of his life. We filmed his daily routines of feeding the cows, cutting firewood by saw and axe, and training for races. We watched him pursue his love of contra dancing and calligraphy. We trailed him as he drove hours to various Montana running races. He’s a gregarious running bum – sleeping in the back of his truck and running as much as possible – just doing it at a different time in his life than most outdoor adventure bums.
He is a complex and wonderful character whose approach to running and life is an inspiration to everyone he meets.
Your contribution will go directly towards the making of this film so we can inspire people across the country with Bob's story.
Thank you for making this amazing project possible.
Incentives
Select This Incentive
$10 USD
Social Media Shoutout and a Big Hug
+ We'll give you a big shoutout through social media.
+ Unless we see you in person, then we'll give you a hug.
Claimed: 14 of 'Unlimited'
Select This Incentive
$25 USD
The Hard Way HD Digital Download
+ HD digital download of The Hard Way, ..... and a big hug!
Claimed: 89 of 'Unlimited'
Select This Incentive
$50 USD
Be Like Bob T-shirt
+ Get this sweet tri-blend cotton t-shirt with the Be Like Bob logo!
Womens (S,M,L, XL) Mens (S,M,L,XL)
We'll get your size when we reach our funding campaign goal!
Add $10 for international shipping.
Claimed: 33 of 'Unlimited'
Select This Incentive
$100 USD
Signed Movie Poster
+ Get a movie poster signed by Bob.
+ HD digital download of the film, The Hard Way.
Add $10 for international shipping.
Claimed: 10 of 'Unlimited'
Select This Incentive
$200 USD
Thunderbolt 30k Race Entry
+ One race entry into Montana's Thunderbolt 30k.
+ Very scenic, non-technical 30k trail race with 3000 feet of climbing near Helena, Montana.
+ Race date is Saturday July 16, 2016 (or reserve your spot for 2017).
Claimed: 0 of 1
Select This Incentive
$200 USD
Bridger Ridge Run Race Entry
+ Touted as one of the most technical trail races in the U.S., here's your chance to test your mettle in the Bridger Mountains of southwest Montana.
+ Race date is Aug. 13, 2016 (or reserve your spot for 2017).
Sold Out!
Select This Incentive
$200 USD
Devil's Backbone 50 Mile Race Entry
+ The Devil's Backbone, which traverses the Gallatin Crest,is one of Montana's most beautiful trail races. This is your chance to try it!
+ Race date is Saturday July 16, 2016 (or reserve your spot for 2017).
Sold Out!
Select This Incentive
$200 USD
Cross Cut Ranch 25k or 15k Race Entry
+ One entry into the Cross Cut Ranch 25k or 15K
+ A great new trail race that covers single track between Bridger Bowl and Bohart Ranch in the Bridger Mountains outside of Bozeman, Montana.
+ Race date is Saturday July 23, 2016 (or reserve your spot for 2017).
Claimed: 0 of 1
Select This Incentive
$250 USD
The Bob Bundle
+ Social Media Shoutout and a big hug
+ The Hard Way HD digital download
+ Be Like Bob t-shirt
+ Signed Movie poster with Bob's great calligraphy signature
Add $10 for international shipping.
Claimed: 5 of 'Unlimited'
Select This Incentive
$300 USD
Half Marathon Sponsor
The Half Marathon Sponsor package is perfect for your small business.
+ Your business's name in the credits at the end of the film
+ Your business's logo or photo highlighted on our Facebook page with a social media shoutout during the campaign.
Claimed: 4 of 'Unlimited'
Select This Incentive
$500 USD
Marathon Sponsor
The Marathon Sponsor package is perfect for your business.
+ Your business's logo and name in the credits at the end of the film
+ Your business's logo posted to The Hard Way website
+ Your business's logo or photo highlighted on our Facebook page with three social media shoutouts throughout the campaign.
Claimed: 6 of 'Unlimited'
Select This Incentive
$500 USD
Missoula Marathon Entries Package
+ Two entries for the Missoula Marathon (2016 or 2017)
+ One dinner for two at the Thomas Meagher Bar in downtown Missoula
+ Race weekend is July 8-10, 2016 or 2017
Claimed: 0 of 1
Select This Incentive
$1,000 USD
Ultra Marathon Sponsor
+ Associate Producer credit
Plus The Bob Bundle:
+ Social Media Shoutout and a big hug
+ The Hard Way HD digital download
+ Be Like Bob t-shirt
+ Signed Movie poster
Claimed: 0 of 10
Select This Incentive
$4,000 USD
Executive Producer on The Hard Way
+ An Executive Producer credit on The Hard Way
+ Plus the Bob Bundle
+ Attend an invitation-only theatrical screening of the film with the filmmakers
Claimed: 0 of 3
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Erik Petersen has worked as a staff photojournalist and as a freelance photographer for the past 15 years. For the last three years he has worked for magazines and commercial clients across the country. He has also worked for international NGOs, documenting their work in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Africa through both still photos and video production. Petersen was twice named National Press Photographer of the year for the western U.S.
Erik is an avid trail runner and can hold a mean pace even while hauling camera gear around the mountains.
Jeremy Lurgio has worked as a staff photojournalist and freelance photographer for 15 years. He is an assistant professor of photojournalism and multimedia storytelling at the University of Montana School of Journalism. He continues to shoot still, video and multimedia projects. His most recent projects both garnered national awards.
His short film Backcountry Baker won best grassroots film at the 2014 Backcountry Film Festival. See the film at https://vimeo.com/86322960
Lurgio’s interactive multimedia project Lost & Found Montana was selected as one of the 20 best projects in 2012 by the American Society of Media Photographers. The project features still, video and audio multimedia projects in an interactive online setting.
Jeremy is happy trudging up and down mountains with his camera gear to get the right shot, but he prefers mountain biking and cyclocross racing without any gear attached.
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