Tolassa was an elite runner in Ethiopia before being thrown into prison for speaking out against human rights abuses on his ethnic group. When he was released from prison he fled the country to save his life. 12 years later, he is a newly resettled refugee in Dallas, Texas, asking his case worker in broken English how he can sign up to compete in a half marathon. This film follows Tolassa’s first year in America, as his ambition to reclaim his dream of competing takes him all the way to the New York City Marathon. Through his pursuit he finds more than just a race. He finds community.

I’ve had a heart for refugees since I first learned about them in 2010. I remember a whole world which I did not know being unveiled as I watched the film “God Grew Tired of Us”. That movie introduced me to a new definition of resilience. Shortly after, I was inspired to help film a documentary about a refugee from Burma resettled to a neighborhood called Vickery Meadow in Dallas, Texas. Since then I've continued to be drawn to the people of this neighborhood and their ability to overcome adversity regardless of the challenges they’ve been presented before even getting to this country.
Over the years I’ve volunteered with several organizations and made three films about refugee life in Vickery Meadow. While volunteering at the International Rescue Committee in 2018, I heard about a newly resettled Ethiopian refugee named Tolassa. He was an elite runner back in Ethiopia, but had to flee due to harsh political persecution. And here he was in Dallas, Texas trying to navigate the running community and return to competitive running without knowing who to go to. As a runner I was well aware of the time commitment a marathon or even half-marathon required, not to mention at a competitive level. I was also familiar with the numerous challenges and barriers a newly resettled refugee faces. Tolassa’s dream of entering the competitive running world would be far from easy, regardless of his raw talent. I knew I had to meet this guy. But even more, I knew he needed all the help he could get.
What started as volunteering to take a few pictures at his first half marathon in the US, turned into a year long journey getting to witness Tolassa reclaim his dream to be a competitive long distance runner. My hope for anyone watching this film is that they are not only inspired to pursue their dreams in the face of adversity but that they grow a deeper empathy for those who have had their dreams unjustly taken away.

Josh Millard was an NCAA cross country runner in the late 90’s. In more recent years he’s been in training year-round for various marathons and ultra-marathons. Personal highlights include winning the 2015 Tyler Rose Marathon and a top 5 Finish in the 2016 Chattanooga Marathon. Josh has been sponsored by Michelob Ultra for the last two seasons and will be running as a member of TeamUltra in the upcoming TCS New York City Marathon in November.

Alex Laywell has been working with refugee families in Dallas since 2013. Through his work at the International Rescue Committee, a resettlement agency, he has helped welcome hundreds of new refugees to Dallas. As the current Youth Services Coordinator, he is pioneering a youth mentoring program that supports newly arrived refugees as they make their way through high school. An active member in the community he works in, Alex helps students write scholarship essays and in his free time, enjoys the occasional half marathon.

Read more about Tolassa’s story here:

Dallas Morning News: Marathoner overcame persecution in Ethiopia

NBCDFW: Ethiopian Oromo Refugee Runs First Half-Marathon Since Calling Dallas Home

Elite athlete—and refugee—completes his first New York City Marathon