Discovery takes on The Challenge

The Challenge follows Alex Smith’s unusual ironman race

Discovery Channel in the UK and Ireland has acquired a feature doc about a father’s attempt to carry his disabled son around an ironman triathlon course.

The Challenge focuses on the superhuman efforts of Alex Smith whose son suffers from Duchene muscular dystrophy, a muscle wasting disease.

Smith set out to complete a gruelling Ironman event, consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile cycle ride and 26.2 mile marathon carrying Harrison, who is eight years old and weighs 40kg.

His attempt was documented by director Peter Williams, producers Nick Taussig and Peter Van Carter from Salon Pictures, and executive producer Christopher Reynolds.

Zodiak Rights handles international sales for the doc, which had a worldwide theatrical premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in February.

Discovery will air a 66-minute cut of the film on June 19, Father’s Day, in the UK and Ireland after Jamie Watkins, factual programming manager for the region, negotiated the acquisition.