Allan Sillitoe's "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" and the movie version of that novel capture the imagination of students because of the stature of the hero, Colin Smith. He refuses to "play it cool" or to "cop out"; he loses his race and wins his manhood. To the students, he carries the command to hold on fiercely to a shred of dignity. Educational use of this story may give the students a pleasurable experience with reading, an introduction to a well-made film, and the increased understanding derived from a well-planned discussion of the content and form of both the movie and the novel. (Suggested questions for discussion are included.) (JS)