There’s an often-quoted adage that says, “Be kind to everyone you meet, because you don’t know what they’re going through.” It asks us to acknowledge that life can be difficult for everyone, regardless of how happy or successful they seem on the surface.
This is the theme that will resound in your head as you view “Katharina,” a raw, deeply honest, and awe-inspiring film following Katharina Hartmuth over an 12-month period starting in 2024. While the highlights of the period include a win at the 2024 Tor des Géants and third-place finishes at the 2024 and 2025 Hardrock 100, there were also seemingly endless injuries, a knee surgery, and mental health struggles.
[Editor’s Note: Click here to watch the full film on YouTube.]
This film is edited and directed by Ethan Newberry, often known as The Ginger Runner. Newberry is arguably one of the most prolific and talented trail running filmmakers in our sport right now. Besides editing and cinematography, the elegantly placed music in his films — including this one — elevates the experience and gives you all the feels.
Katharina Hartmuth near the end of the 2024 Tor des Géants after overcoming a summer of injury. All photos are screenshots from the film “Katharina.”
The opening scene immediately immerses us in Hartmuth’s world. The purposeful shots follow Hartmuth to the 2024 Hardrock 100 start line in Silverton, Colorado. She describes the mountains as her “happy place” and says that running in them is “almost like visiting friends.”
Hartmuth, who is German but lives in Switzerland, is one of the most prolific runners on the global circuit. Her most recent accomplishment is a third-place finish at the 2025 UTMB, where this film made its world premiere. But for anyone who’s been following her career closely, it’s clear that her runs at UTMB and other events in the past two years have not come easily.
Katharina and others at the start of the 2025 Hardrock 100.
Early on in the film, Hartmuth candidly reveals her struggles with mental health and her series of unfortunate and frustrating injuries. Her string of bad luck started with a knee injury after being hit by a car while riding her bike in the spring of 2024. The second was a bad fall while running just 2.5 weeks before the 2024 Hardrock 100 during which she injured her back. The way she speaks about these challenges is honest and relatable. She never begs for sympathy in her tone. Hartmuth exudes dignity and grit, and it is utterly inspiring. She lines up for the 2024 race even with less-than-ideal preparation and finishes third, despite additionally suffering from loss of vision, a condition well-documented during ultrarunning events. The way Hartmuth ultimately navigates the course with no vision, never wavering, will give you chills.
Subsequently, we follow Hartmuth to her victorious finish at the 2024 Tor des Géants in September of that year. The scenery in the Italian Alps is spectacular and at times looks like a movie set. Despite the grueling nature of this 330-kilometer race, Hartmuth never stops smiling and never loses her patience. She struggles all the while with her lingering knee pain. Her success is achieved not without hardship, and her approach to mental health is both rational and mature.
Katharina in the Italian Alps during the 2024 Tor des Géants.
Knee surgery in November 2024 and the subsequent rehabilitation marks the winter months between race seasons, and the movie concludes with its final chapter at the 2025 Hardrock 100. During this time, Hartmuth reminisces on her 2024 race and describes one of the most relatable situations in ultrarunning when she says, “I had so many problems during the race, but my back was never a problem.” It highlights what is often true both in life and running: In the end, it’s never the issues we are most worried about that become the concern.
The film is an emotional roller coaster from the start to the final finish line of the film. Hartmuth is engaging and lovable, and you will become a fan if you weren’t already. Perhaps most importantly, it’s a reminder that many people are struggling, and it’s ok to reach out for help.
Overcome by emotion at the finish of the 2025 Hardrock 100.
Call for Comments
- Have you had a chance to watch the film? What did you think?
- Have you found yourself navigating mental health struggles while dealing with physical injuries as well?
