endurocross (sport)

Sometimes, when Sverri Steinholm is in the midst of a particularly difficult trail run, he wonders why he puts his body through these feats of endurance in the first place. "Why are you doing this stupid thing?" he thinks to himself. "I’ll never do it again." But he always does. "I have to do it. My body needs it, or my soul, or my mind. It’s something almost magical."

For the Faroe Islands native, running is a form of therapy. The son of a shepherd on an island where there are more sheep than people, Steinholm has a deep reverence for the North Atlantic archipelago and its dramatic landscape. But he knows its people, too—Steinholm is the local pastor. He is the thread that runs through Faroese life, from its rugged cliffs to its population’s intimate desires.

"The Running Pastor" was directed by Tim Kemple ( http://www.camp4collective.com). It is part of The Atlantic Selects, an online showcase of short documentaries from independent creators, curated by The Atlantic.

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