REGIONAL – An ultra-runner’s recent 110-mile trek across the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness was turned into a documentary to raise awareness of the threat of sulfide-ore copper mining, and the film is nominated as one of five finalists for a Webby Award in Sustainability and Environment. 
Last summer, ultra-runner Alex Falconer completed a 110-mile run across the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to raise awareness of the threat posed by sulfide-ore copper mining. 
The run was turned into a short documentary by Minneapolis-based production company Current Resident, and was sponsored by Save The Boundary Waters, where Falconer also works as director of government relations.
“The BWCAW is America’s most visited wilderness area, attracting as many as 155,000 visitors each year,” said Zoe Esser, associate producer and studio manager at Current Resident. “This area consists of 1.1 million acres of interconnected waterways, uninterrupted forests and diverse wildlife that is crucial for conservation and a sustainable economy in surrounding communities.”
The BWCAW faces potential impacts from a proposed sulfide-ore copper mine upstream of the wilderness boundary. To raise awareness for this cause, Falconer set off on a mission to complete the first-ever recorded ultra-run he titled the Boundary Waters Traverse. He completed the race on May 22, 2021, running more than 110 miles connecting the Border Route and Kekekabic Trail, finishing with a time of 38 hours, 15 minutes and three seconds.
Helping tell this story, Current Resident, a Twin Cities production house, followed Falconer and his team to capture the efforts of the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters.
“The impact this run and documentary have had on the public has been astounding over the past couple months,” Esser said. “With more than 1,000 of views on YouTube and more traffic onto the campaign’s website at savetheboundarywaters.org, wilderness defenders everywhere are looking to help fight for the cause.”
The Boundary Waters Traverse documentary is a finalist for a national award with the Webbys.
“This award is a top tier recognition, bringing out the best of the best online,” Esser said. The Webby Awards presents two honors in every category—The Webby Award and The Webby People’s Voice Award, awarded by the voting public.
“Each year, The Webby People’s Voice Awards garners millions of votes from all over the world,” she said.
As one of only five chosen from around the world, it’s among the top 12 percent of the over 14,000 record-breaking projects entered.
“The Webby People’s Voice Award is voted on by the public, that’s where our supporters come in,” Esser said. “Please vote for ‘The Boundary Waters Traverse’ in the category of Video - Sustainability and Environment.”
To show support for the Boundary Waters and help raise awareness, supporters can vote for it in The Webby’s People Voice award at: https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2022/video/general-video/sustainability-environment.
The full documentary can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG8hIEiujpk&t=22s.