CONGRATULATIONS! Film festival award for teenage ultra-runner Riley Nachtrieb

Last August, we reported on teenage ultra-runner Riley Nachtrieb making it 82 miles of the way on the 138-mile Olympic Discovery Trail. Then in September, as also reported here, she completed a mini-documentary about the odyssey, “Broken.” Now, her filmmaker dad Erik Nachtrieb, who worked on it with her, sends word that “Broken” has won a film-festival award!

West Seattle High School Senior Riley Nachtrieb’s short film, “Broken,” documenting her 140-mile run across the Olympic Peninsula, is awarded “The Spirit of Adventure” amongst all the films submitted in the 2020 Auburn Adventure Film Festival.

Last weekend was the three-day Auburn Adventure Film Festival, with the award ceremonies Sunday night. 160 International films were submitted with only 32 selected for screening during the festival. Riley’s self-funded project was amongst films that were sponsored by REI, Filson, Danner, and Eddie Bauer. Riley Nachtrieb is the Director of Video at WSHS, co-captain of the cross-country team, an ultra runner (someone who runs 30-100-mile races), and an aspiring filmmaker. She was the subject of the film, as well as, worked closely with her father and 1iOpen Productions to create this film, which was never meant to be a film.

This is 10 minutes of her 24-hour emotional rollercoaster finding the strength to ask herself questions few 17-year-olds have to face. This is more than a run, it’s watching the evolution of emotion, maturity, and the human potential of a young woman in real time.

Riley continues to run, is involved in the Seattle film community, and will be heading to college while writing screenplays and filming. Her award-winning film can be seen here:

12 Replies to "CONGRATULATIONS! Film festival award for teenage ultra-runner Riley Nachtrieb"

  • JD February 26, 2020 (8:08 am)

    Riley, you are an inspiration!

    • Riley February 26, 2020 (8:51 pm)

      Thank you JD! -Riley

  • Mok4315 February 26, 2020 (9:12 am)

    Congrats Riley!!!

    • Riley February 26, 2020 (8:52 pm)

      Thank you so much! -Riley

  • Blinkyjoe February 26, 2020 (10:06 am)

    Great Story! Riley, you should reach out to Patagonia, Solomon, Oiselle, heck, even Nike, with your story. Maybe you already have. I can see you doing Western States, Marathon de Sable, Barkley Marathons…..

    • riley February 26, 2020 (8:54 pm)

      Thank you! It is a dream of mine to run the Western States 100. I might look into some of the brands. Thank you for the support! -Riley 

  • HB February 26, 2020 (1:04 pm)

    What amazing achievements – Riley, you are an inspiration!

    • Riley February 26, 2020 (8:55 pm)

      Thank you!  -Riley

  • ACG February 26, 2020 (1:06 pm)

    Wow!  Great film and an amazing accomplishment on the run. Riley- you should NEVER worry that you’ll “disappoint people”. You did an incredible job and did something that 99% of us never could do or would even be brave enough to attempt to do.  

    • Riley February 26, 2020 (8:57 pm)

      Thank you for the kind words! I hope that this can inspire more people to get out there! -Riley

  • Ms. Dahms February 26, 2020 (5:45 pm)

    This is so awesome, Riley! I am so happy for you! What an accomplishment!

    • Riley February 26, 2020 (9:00 pm)

      Ms. Dahms, thank you!!! It’s awesome to have your support! Supporting students outside of academics means a lot! -Riley 

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