Patta Youngsters Running Better Together
Patta Running Team × Nike | 2019–2022

For three consecutive years, I had the opportunity to follow Patta Running Team’s Youngsters Running Better Together programme, a documentary series created for Patta in collaboration with Nike.

Each year, a new group of young people took on the challenge of training for a half marathon in less than six months. Some already had a sporting background, while others were taking on running for the first time. The series followed their journey from the first training sessions through the physical and mental challenges that came with pushing themselves further than they thought possible.

What made the programme especially meaningful was Patta’s involvement beyond running. The team supported the youngsters on a personal level, creating a strong sense of community and encouraging them through setbacks, doubts and difficult moments. Over the course of the series, we saw the participants grow not only as runners, but also as people.

Across the three years, the documentaries capture different groups, personalities and challenges, while showing the common thread of personal growth, perseverance and togetherness. The final year was shaped by COVID-19, forcing the programme and the participants to adapt when things did not go as planned.

I directed and produced the documentary series, following the participants closely throughout their training and capturing the highs, hardships and personal moments along the way.

Director: Leanne Vink
Producers: Orville Yssel, Sanne Scherrenberg, Leanne Vink
D.O.P.: Mark Groen
2nd camera: Raoel Hulst
Boom operator Nike HQ: Melle Posthuma de Boer

Editor: Leanne Vink
Colorist: Nick Sotgiu
Title design: Orville Yssel
Production company (year 1 & 2): Woodpack

Soundtrack by: JQM & All1NE
Instruments: Eastar Music, Jeremy “SToep” Wielzen, Jonathan Arends, Genius beats
Mix & Mastering/sfx by: Killing Skills

Additional camera operators:
Timothy Wormhoudt
Leanne Vink
Ot van der Wal
Morenno Davelaar
Imane Farahi

Archival Footage: J.A. Flu
Subtitles by: Annabel van Eijk

Interview location year 3: Studio Spijkerkade