Decathlon film coming to Sisters

The decathlon has become a high-profile event in Sisters thanks to an abiding interest in the exploits of world-record holder and Olympic gold-medalist Ashton Eaton.

A new documentary, "48 Hours to Fame" explores the nature of the event which tests a wide range of track-and-field disciplines to produce "the world's greatest athlete."

The documentary will show twice at Sisters Movie House on Wednesday, October 2 as a fundraiser for local Sparrow Clubs, which aid families with children in medical crisis. Each showing will be followed by a half-hour question-and-answer session with Ashton Eaton at FivePine Lodge & Conference Center.

The film features Sisters Athletic Club owner Tate Metcalf talking about the electric experience of seeing Eaton set a world record at the U.S. Track and Field Championships in Eugene, enroute to the Olympics.

Metcalf notes that the film is not a feel-good triumph-of-the-spirit type of documentary. It digs in to the nuts-and-bolts of the decathlon.

"The documentary really shows a lot of their training and preparation and what-is-a-decathlon," he said.

As to his role, Metcalf noted that the filmmakers "wanted a little history of Ashton." Metcalf was one of Eaton's coaches at Mountain View High School, and was instrumental in turning the young athlete to the decathlon.

Metcalf says that viewers of the film will gain an appreciation for the challenging nature of the event.

"They'll have a better understanding of the magnitude of the decathlon," he said.

Tickets are on sale exclusively at Sisters Athletic Club and are expected to sell out quickly. Showings are at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

To view a trailer for "48 Hours to Fame, visit https://vimeo.com/73714064.