- Director: Michael Yorke
- Country: U.K./Japan
- Year: 1992
The marathon monks of Mount Hiei are some of the best runners in the world. These monks are known for their physical endurance in running, a form of extreme asceticism called Kaihogyo that lasts seven years. After the fifth year, the monks begin a nine day confinement without any food, water, rest, or sleep. Then they start running again. During the final year of Kaihogyo the monks run 84 km per day for 100 days straight.
The film follows Tanno Kakudo, who, over seven years, completes 1000 marathon pilgrimages to the 270 sacred sites on Mount Hiei, Central Japan.
The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei, written and produced by Christopher J. Hayden, is based on a book of the same title by John Stevens.