Olympian says Canadian film ‘Racewalkers’ is in on the joke, ‘not the butt of the joke’

“From the very beginning, it was, ‘Look, race walking is part of the joke. It’s in on the joke, but it’s not the butt of the joke.’ And I immediately appreciated that, and saw what they’re trying do and was fully on board to help,” Dunfee said in a video interview from Calgary.

Claydon co-directed, co-wrote and co-stars in the film alongside Phil Moniz. Together, their characters ambitiously challenge the sport’s egotistical father-son duo, portrayed by Robbie Amell and Greg Bryk — the latter, as the son’s coach, relives his former glory vicariously through his child.

Claydon and Moniz, who are both from Toronto, said that while researching, they saw how great of an athlete you need to be to become a champion and how difficult the sport is. During pre-production, they reached out to members of the race walking community to read the script, as they didn’t want to “punch down” at the sport.

“We just wanted to make sure that we treated it, and the community and those race walkers, with respect since we were doing this and then still being able to, you know, make a fun movie that’s full of laughs and competitiveness,” Claydon said.

Race walking debuted as a standalone Olympic event in 1908 and follows strict rules. Each athlete must have one foot on the ground at all times — unlike in running where both feet can be off the ground while sprinting — and the knee of the walking athlete’s advanced leg cannot bend; it must be straight as the body passes over it.

Kevin Claydon (left) and Phil Moniz (right) handout photo from the film ‘Racewalkers’ are shown in this undated handout photo provided by Collective Pictures. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout-Collective Pictures

Amell, who recently had a starring role in Prime Video’s science fiction comedy “Upload” and whose long list of screen credits include CW’s adaptation of “The Flash,” plays an arrogant veteran athlete following in his father’s race walking footsteps. Determined to win, he will stop at nothing to make sure Claydon’s newcomer to the sport has no chance of beating him.

The film was shot in Toronto and Hamilton, and Dunfee noted how impressed he was watching Amell while on set.

“His race walking mannerisms, and patterns, and stride — you could tell that he came across as kind of the villainous one of it all. Which is impressive. I guess this is why these guys are fantastic actors. But I was very impressed about how you could portray a character simply through your gait.”

Amell said hearing that was the “best compliment I’ve ever received on a role,” noting that he dubbed Dunfee’s tips and tricks as “Evan-isms.”

“We were like, ‘Is there anything people do before a race?’ He’s like, ‘Some guys walk up and they’re slapping their thighs and trying to get some blood going.’ And we’re like, ‘That’s too fun and weird.’ And the sound of 15 guys just slapping their own thighs was funny enough to put that in,” Amell said in a video interview from Mississauga, Ont.

The Toronto-born Amell helped produce the film under his Collective Pictures production company, with additional funding through Telefilm Canada and Ontario Creates.

The comedy is the feature film debut for co-directors Claydon and Moniz. The duo have been friends since they were kids and collaborated on the digital series “Short Term Sentence.”

Dunfee said embracing and leaning into the sport’s unique movements is what he advises when training others.

“Race walk as if you’re making fun of it. Imagine what you would do if you were mocking this and you’re going to be further along the line of correct than if you are too scared of making it look like you’re making fun of it, if that makes sense.”

It was advice that Amell took to heart when preparing for the role.

“You just got to get over the hurdle of how silly it looks. It’s like, if you don’t look silly, you’re not doing it right. So you got to lean in with the hips,” Amell said.

Canada’s Evan Dunfee competes in the men’s 20km race walk at the Pan Am Games in Santiago, Chile on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Dunfee also makes a small cameo in the film, playing, of course, a race walker. He said a bit part was all he wanted — preferring to leave his mark behind-the-scenes teaching the actors how to improve their techniques and come across as authentic as possible.

The Vancouver-born racer brought his Olympic bronze medal to the set.

Dunfee said the victory allowed him to promote the sport to a whole new generation.

“When I actually got to stand on that podium, the first thing I remember thinking when I held that medal in my hands was, ‘Holy crap, I’m going to get to put this in so many other kids’ hands and tell them, hey, if I can do this, what’s stopping you from achieving your dreams?’ And I’ve now got to place that medal in probably north of 15,000 kids’ hands.”

His attention now shifts to preparing for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

“(I’ll) give myself one more Olympics to see how I can stack up and one more shot at the podium,” Dunfee said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 6, 2026.

Craig Macrae, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Olympian says Canadian film ‘Racewalkers’ is in on the joke, ‘not the butt of the joke’

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