Winter is officially over and the weather continues to gradually become warmer. Those who have gotten cabin fever from working out in the gym during the colder months can finally begin taking their exercise outdoors. Some of these recreational activities include tennis, hiking, golf, biking, Frisbee, soccer, and baseball. One of the most popular outdoor sports that people participate in is running.

Running is a sport that is very simple to start; all that is required is a comfortable set of clothing and a quality pair of shoes. Everybody already knows how to run, even if you don’t have perfect form yet. It’s also one of the most flexible sports, it doesn’t require a court or pool, just open space and decent weather. Running is a great way to lose weight, become happier, reduce stress, and embrace nature.

The sport is not only popular out on the roads and on the track; it is also popular in the cinema. Mass audiences saw “Unbroken” this holiday season and “McFarland USA” and “Boston Strong” soon slated to release as well as several inspirational indie films that are in production. It seems that movies about running are in style at the moment.

Below I have compiled a list of five great films about running. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an elite runner or a beginner; everyone needs help pulling him or herself off of the couch sometimes. These movies will want you to get outside and go for a run right after watching them.

Running Brave (1983)

Based on the story of Billy Mills, a North American Indian brought up on the reservation, destined against all odds to become the best distance runner in the world in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

Transcend (2014)

2:06:13 marathoner Wesley Korir escaped the grinding poverty of Kenya. However, the winner of the 2012 Boston Marathon and multiple other American Marathons risks everything to return home to help his fellow Kenyans create better lives for themselves.

Across the Tracks (1991)

A film about two brothers who use running to reconcile their differences, it features Brad Pitt before he became a star. The oldest brother Joe (Pitt) is a good student and high school track star intent on winning a scholarship to Stanford University. The younger brother named Billy (Ricky Shroder) is trying to leave behind a delinquent past when his brother introduces him to running.

4 Minute Mile (2014)

This film focuses on a Drew, a high school runner who is struggling with poverty and inner city life. He receives little support from his older brother and unsteady widowed mother. Drew finally begins to see his potential after getting to know his antisocial neighbor, a former track coach with his own laundry list of issues. They form a connection and Drew appears to be on the verge of something great before more problems occur.

Without Limits (1998)

“Without Limits” is a biographical portrayal of American running great Steve Prefontaine. The film focuses on the relationship between Prefontaine and his coach Bill Bowerman. Most critics agree this movie is better and more authentic than “Prefontaine,” another biopic that was released a year earlier. “Without Limits” provides an excellent look at Prefontaine’s life, as well as the early days of Nike.