The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner follows juvenile offender (Sir Tom Courtney) as he strives to find a place for himself whilst sentenced to a boy’s reformatory school.

‘Running was always a big thing in our family, especially running away from the police. It's hard to understand. All I know is that you've got to run, running without knowing why, through fields and woods. And the winning post's no end, even though the barmy crowds might be cheering themselves daft. That's what the loneliness of a long distance runner feels like.’

The musical score by John Addison incorporated some of the free-form jazz sounds current at the time. The score is most notable, however, for Addison's ironic use of the old hymn "Jerusalem" rendered in various styles.

This BFI Flipside edition includes additional film content.

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner was heavily sampled in the Chumbawamba song "Alright Now", and text from the book upon which this movie was based formed the cover of their single "Just Look at Me Now"

UK postage included in the price listed.