The Duchenne Race (La carrera contra Duchenne) is a 20-minute documentary short made in Spain and directed by Arantza Ibarra Basáñez. It focuses on the story of four young people—Quique, Uriel, Iren and Alejandro—who live with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare genetic disease affecting the muscles and progressively limiting mobility.
The documentary's central theme is a popular race organised in Jaca, Aragon, to raise public awareness of the condition. More than a competitive sporting event, the race becomes a symbol of unity, support and resistance, taking on social as well as athletic significance.
The film's protagonists are the young people affected by the disease themselves, appearing as themselves alongside their families and the organisers. The images alternate everyday-life moments and scenes connected to the sporting event, offering an authentic portrait of their personal and collective challenge.
Its message is one of courage, determination and the strength of family and community love in the face of a difficult condition. The race becomes the meeting point between sport and society, showing how sport can be a tool for inclusion, awareness and solidarity.
Produced by Duchenne Parent Project España, the documentary is not a student project and was completed on 1 January 2024. It is an independent work connected to an organisation committed for years to combating Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Film Information
Title: The Duchenne Race
Original title: La carrera contra Duchenne
Direction: Arantza Ibarra Basáñez
Production: Duchenne Parent Project España
Country: Spain
Language: Spanish
Running time: 20 minutes
Genre: Documentary
Sport featured: Road running (popular sporting event)
Main subject(s): Quique, Uriel, Iren, Alejandro
Completion date: 1 January 2024
Premiere: [Not specified]
Distributor: [Not stated]
Shooting format: Digital, 1.85:1, colour
Director's first film: No
Student project: No