City Slickers Can't Stay With Me: The Coach Bob Larsen Story

Dedication, discipline, drive and heart are qualities in all great long distance runners and in all those who reach for the American Dream. They are also at the core of the documentary City Slickers Can't Stay With Me: The Coach Bob Larsen Story.

Framing the film is the career of Mebrahtom (Meb) Keflezighi, a world class distance runner with a unique American success story. Born during a war of Independence in Eritrea, Meb and his family were forced to flee the war-torn country when he was only 12 years old. They eventually settled in San Diego, CA, setting Meb on a path to represent the United States as an Olympic distance runner in 2000, 2004, and 2012 (at the age of 37). Through Meb, City Slickers Can't Stay With Me reminds us that great achievements are rarely made on one's own. Meb's success story is only half the story. His extraordinary personal and athletic achievements are only part of the legacy of Coach Bob Larsen.

Bob Larsen's life-long commitment to understanding the sport of distance running has been a key contributing factor in the resurgence of American distance running on the international stage. His ability to galvanize the emotional, intellectual and physiological components of his runners has garnered unwavering respect from his athletes, former athletes and his peers and has produced winning teams and star athletes from unlikely circumstances.

Through photos, interviews, and recent footage from the 2012 London Olympics, City Slickers Can't Stay With Me provides insights into what has made Coach Bob Larsen such an influential figure in his field and led so many to attribute their success in other areas of life to lessons learned during their time with Coach Larsen. The documentary explores the trajectory of Larsen's achievements and innovative coaching techniques in an effort to get the best out of his runners. City Slickers Can't Stay With Me has the capacity to inspire those outside of the field to reach higher and run farther than they may have ever thought possible.