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THE GREAT AMERICAN FOOT RACE documents an extraordinary 3,422-mile cross-country trek, won by 19-year-old Cherokee Indian Andy Payne, the shy son of an Oklahoma farmer who entered the race because "I just thought I could do it." Dubbed "the Bunion Derby" by sports writers of the day, this was a grueling competition in which 199 runners attempted to cross the United States. Facing scorching temperatures, intermittent supplies of food and water, competing without modern running shoes or equipment, only 55 men finished the 84-day race from Los Angeles to New York. The film not only describes Payne's incredible achievement, but tells the story of a race that was filled with drama, hucksterism, and even, unfortunately, the early beginnings of corporate sponsorship of athletic events.

In 1928, the Roaring Twenties with its bathtub gin and fringe-clad flappers were about to come to a crashing halt. The era had been characterized by endurance tests and bizarre stunts of all sorts: flagpole sitting, marathon dancing, etc. While the Jazz Age was winding down, America's love affair with the automobile was just gearing up. Ford introduced the Tin Lizzie, and Americans were struck with an urge to hit the road.

One of the first roads to be designated a U.S. Highway was Route 66, running from Chicago to Los Angeles. Cy Avery of Tulsa, known as the Father of Route 66, and a member of the American Association of State Highway Officials, wanted to promote the fact that a network of roads had been created to link the U.S. from coast to coast. Many of these roads were primitive dirt roads with no maintenance and no consistent signage. To calm people's fears about driving long distances, the idea of a foot race across the country was born. Surely if people could run on these roads, they would be safe for the automobile.

The man chosen to organize and promote the foot race was Charles C. Pyle, the "P.T. Barnum" of sports promotion. Flamboyant, flashy and more than a little unscrupulous, Pyle was known to sport fans as "Cash and Carry Pyle." Pyle's plan involved assessing each town along the highway a fee, even if the runners just passed through a town. He then proceeded to spend $50,000 on two double-decker touring coaches in order to accommodate himself and squire other dignitaries along the race route.

When a $25,000 grand prize was announced, men from all over the world, including prominent long-distance runners from Finland, South Africa and Canada signed up. Others who entered were unknown immigrants whose heads were filled with dreams of fame and fortune. Andy Payne's family borrowed $125 for Andy to enter the race and he headed off for the training camp in Los Angeles.