Running Full Tilt

by Michael Currinder

"A fast-paced convincing drama of a young runner whose legs circle him back to the many conflicts he is trying to escape."—Jack Gantos, Newbery Medal-winning author of Dead End in Norvelt

An honest and sensitive debut that memorably captures a teen runner’s relationship with his brother and his brother’s experience of autism

Like many siblings, Leo and Caleb have a complicated relationship. But Caleb's violent outbursts literally send Leo running. When the family is forced to relocate, Leo tries to settle into a new school, joining the cross-country team and discovering his talent for racing and endurance for distance. 

Things begin to look up for Leo when he befriends Curtis, a potential state champion who teaches Leo strategy and introduces him to a girl named Mary. But Leo's stability is short-lived as Caleb escalates his attacks on his brother, resentful of his sports success and new friendships.

Leo can't keep running away from his problems. But, with a little help from Curtis and Mary, he can appreciate his worth as a brother and his own capacity for growth, both on and off the field.

Genres: Young Adult, Sports, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Fiction

336 pages, Hardcover

First published September 5, 2017

About the author

Michael Currinder grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and ran cross-country and track at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Running Full Tilt is his first novel and is a fusion of his collective experiences as a talented high school runner and his close, yet complicated, relationship with his older autistic sibling. Mike has been an international educator for close to two decades, having lived in San Francisco, Japan, China, Taiwan, and the Philippines. He and his wife are now on year two in Hong Kong with their rescue dog, Leo.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

The running scenes in this book, both cross-country and track-and-field, are some of the best I've ever read; Currinder's depth of knowledge about the sport flows onto the pages. However, it's his sense of humor and compassion that make me want to get this book into every high-school athlete's hands.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved so much about this book. I knew I had to read it when Lynn Rutan, giving a booktalk at MAME, said, “We have so many books about high-functioning autistic kids...but this isn’t one of those.” Leo’s life is definitely not easy with his older brother Caleb. When Caleb gets agitated, he lashes out at Leo, beating him up in the middle of the night. Leo runs to allow both him and Caleb to cool down. Running to escape turns into something more for Leo.

I’m so looking forward to sharing this one!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this heartwarming debut novel, Running Full Tilt. It's a fast-paced, rhythmic, story that will tug at your heartstrings and have you reaching for your shoestrings. This book is worth a read and has become a permanent fixture on my bookshelf. You can find a copy of your own in Amazon. Well done Mike!

[Sarah Boselovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! About 100 pages in, I realized it was semi autobiographical and that made me like it even more. It’s a wonderful story of running and the escape it can be, while also reminding the reader to be grateful for the family in our lives. I love how Currinder structured the book within a full year of running, from cross country season to winter training and ending with the track season. Can’t wait to recommend this one to students!

[Cheri Puetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

"That's the beauty of a distance event. If you make a mistake early on, you can still get back in the race."
Life lessons. Any runner is out on the course with Leo as he strives to achieve runner's high, as he strives to escape life for a few fleeting moments. Any reader, runner or not, is there in the dark wondering if this time Caleb will be too quick or too strong for Leo, who now keeps a bat within reach. Raw and honest feelings of anger - even hate - towards one you are supposed to love and the intense guilt that goes with that. Life is messy. Life gets in your face at times with its incredible messiness. Mistakes get made. Feelings of regret are inevitable. Getting back in the race of this thing we call life? Sometimes you just don't want to. Sometimes you just have no choice. Sometimes you just have to tackle it going full tilt. Wow. Just wow. Truly one of the most honest and real stories I have read in a very long time!
If I must offer up any negatives, I admit I was left a bit disappointed with the character of Curtis. I felt like issues were hinted at that felt important, yet we were never given more insight into those. I also expected more from him (or about him) as the story resolved itself, but suddenly Curtis seemed as though he was a distant memory. Something just didn't work for me with this character... I am still trying to figure out what his role really was and I feel left hanging with that piece of the story. Something I will be mulling over for a while, I suspect!
Regardless, this book will stick with me for all the right reasons as well! I am not 100% convinced of my 5 star rating, but ultimately I felt it was closer to 5 stars than 4, so there you have it! Nicely done!

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary e-copy of RUNNING FULL TILT in exchange for my honest review**

A new school. A fresh start. Leo's family has to move due to his autistic brother Caleb's violent behavior, including attacking Leo on a nightly basis. Leo begins running as a way of escaping the constant abuse. He joins the cross country team, but the more success he experiences, the more violent Caleb becomes.

RUNNING FULL TILT made me mad and sad. Angry that Leo's parents didn't protect him (would locks on the door have been too much?), sad because I understood they needed respire from Caleb's constant needs. Like a child abused by his parents, Leo is ashamed and hides Caleb's abuse from his friends. I kept hoping their parents would find alternative housing for Caleb, because he wasn't safe at home.

RUNNING FULL TILT held my interest. The running scenes were well written, though I tired of reading them after a while and found myself skimming those scenes toward the end of the book.


I enjoyed reading Michael Currinder's debut story, which will appeal equally to boys and girls.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Running Full Tilt was one of the more interesting cross country running books I have read in quite some time. With the right mix of drama, running description, and banter, this is a YA book that I think will appeal to many readers middle school through high school.

As a cross country and track coach, I really appreciated how well the author was able to describe Leo’s races, training, and general conversations around strategy. I think these qualities are sure appeal to runners. I also think Leo’s family conflicts, dating drama, and team hijinks add another great dimension to the story that will be enough to pull in non-runners as well.

Leo’s brother Caleb is autistic and he is also dealing with other health issues throughout the book. In the night, Caleb sometimes attacks Leo causing him to have to flee the house running, which eventually inspires him to try out for the cross country team at his new school. Caleb is often misunderstood, but the author shows us his heart and good nature throughout the story. I also appreciated how messy Leo’s home life was throughout.

Having had several students who run cross country and track read Currinder's book throughout this past year, I am glad to see it ringing true for them as well. Definitely a great book for a wide range of readers!

[Tfalcone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley for the free ARC.

I loved this book. The story line is basically the relationship of a brother to his abusive autistic brother and how he deals with it. The parents seem to have left most of the dealings to the son, who shares a room with his brother and never knows when his brother feels like beating him to pieces. To defend himself, he starts running away at first and running competitively later. Running also seems to help his brother's mood swings.

Very complicated relationship, which makes you think about how to deal fairly with a situation like this.

Highly recommend.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really only wish this book has been longer.

[haani · Rating 2 out of 5]

*THANKS TO NETGALLEY FOR PROVIDING ME WITH THIS ARC IN EXCHANGE WITH A HONEST REVIEW*

To begin with, Leo, the main character has autistic brother, Caleb. His brother is the main reasons why his family has to moved.

The relationship between Leo and Caleb is a little confusing. Maybe not just the brothers but also with their parents.

For the first few pages, it was kinda great. But then you started noticing something kinda off. For me, the autism is not well represented. You also could find yourself skipping some pages because, sometimes its boring.

I like some of the characters in it. And if you do read it, i hope you enjoy it. Because, i apparently i don't.

i hate the last part and i'm just gonna pretend it doesn't happen since i skipped it:)

[Becky Ginther · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book at BookExpo. I picked it up from the many, many books in my to-read pile because it was about running - and on top of that, someone who runs as a way to cope with problems. As a person who has been having more than their fair share of problems recently and can relate to the feeling of running as an escape, I thought I might connect with this book in some ways.

Leo is a junior in high school who is dealing with WAY more than he ever should be. His older brother Caleb is autistic (amongst other disabilities that they haven't been able to pinpoint yet) and his parents never seem to get along. When Caleb starts getting more aggressive towards Leo, Leo literally starts running away from his problems. And his newfound love of running leads him to join the school cross country team, where he makes some friends and ends up being a bright spot in his complicated life.

I felt bad for Leo. It was almost unbelievable the amount that he had to deal with. Caleb starts beating the heck of out Leo several times a week, to the point where he is constantly sporting scratches, bruises, etc. I was actually surprised his injuries didn't impact his running at all. And on top of that his parents seem totally overwhelmed and don't know what to do about Caleb. The fact that they let this abuse go on for a year is pretty upsetting. Add in the fact that Leo sees his mom having an affair and she still won't admit to it, this is some heavy stuff for a teenager. Thank goodness he finds a few good friends. There is a romance throughout the book with Mary which is sweet and feels fairly realistic. And his friend Curtis is a really cool character. He's very different from the typical high school student, but despite his quirks he is clearly very supportive and always there for Leo.

If you read the back cover description of the book, you probably have an idea of what might happen. To me I thought it came a little too late in the story just given the fact that I already kind of knew it was coming. I think if the description didn't have that sort of spoiler then it would have been much better.

There are a lot of long descriptions of running and cross country/track meets, as well as running strategies. I imagine these could get quite tiresome for a person who isn't into running. As a runner I found it interesting, though I'm nowhere near that level of athlete (Leo can run almost a 4 minute mile. I'm at about a 9:30 minute mile haha). It could be a very good option for high school athletes who might not be as into reading and need something.

I enjoyed the book and I thought the characters were all particularly interesting. It's certainly a sad book but there are glimmers of hope throughout, and it's a great novel to show the power of running (or whatever activity you might choose) to get you through hard times and difficult things.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a few incidents force Leo’s family to move to a new neighborhood, and Leo discovers running. Leo’s story doesn’t belong to him alone. Caleb and Leo are brothers, complete opposites but still connected. Caleb, two years older, and on the spectrum, “among other things,” looks up to Leo and tries to compare himself to Leo’s achievements. Leo, without realizing it, looks up to Caleb too.

Leo begins running when Caleb becomes physically abusive, never knowing what will set him off, Leo keeps his running shoes near the door, and takes off anytime Caleb comes after him. This leads Leo to joining the Cross Country track team at his new school, and helps Leo, and Caleb, to cope with things they didn’t know were bothering them.

The way Running Full Tilt is written is easy to read, and quick to move through. While I tend to read quickly, I felt like this book blew past, much like Leo in his races. The story never falls into a lull and it’s easy to get caught up in “just one more chapter.” I wasn’t expecting the end of the book, and thought that things would end differently for Leo and his family. That being said, I think that I was hoping for a traditional happy ending, and while it ends on a high note, the journey there will feel like a roller coaster.

Leo and Caleb are my favorite characters, as they should be since they are the main characters of the book. I wish that there was more information about Caleb, being on the spectrum, and then some, is very vague and made it seem like his issues weren’t well researched, and just thrown into a lump category with what seemed to be a lot of side effects.

Leo is pretty well developed, though instead of being honest about Caleb’s fighting, Leo sweeps it under the rug. I feel like if Leo had been honest perhaps Caleb could have received the medical attention he needed.

Leo’s parents come off as selfish and not realizing what’s actually happening in their house. While Leo’s dad did try to make a point when Caleb left visible marks on Leo, the rest of his behavior was ignored.

Overall, it’s a great story, with a dysfunctional family, and a high speed ending. I’m not a sports person, and while a lot of the story focuses on running, it isn’t the entire story, and doesn’t detract from the rest of the book, or Leo’s journey throughout.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating mix of sports story and an examination of the complicated issues and relationships a family with a disabled child has to deal with. Leo runs both to escape the escalating violent attacks by his disabled older brother and to deal with his own fears and frustrations. Running through the night is his salvation and it leads him to join the cross country team at his new high school. Currinder writes with authority on the sport and makes it a truly interesting center point for the story.

There have been many autistic characters of late and 99% of them have been high functioning and ultimately successful. This picture of an 18 year old with increasing outbreaks of anger and aggression and devastating seizures is an important look at the experience of having a family member on a different level of the spectrum.

A compelling and moving story told in Leo's authentic heartfelt voice. The story kept me reading through the night.

[Jessyca505 · Rating 4 out of 5]

"That's the beauty of a distance event. If you make a mistake early on, you can still get back in the race." ~ Currinder

Many of us are brought to running for many reasons. To run to something, to run from something. Maybe somewhere in between. This book is no different.

A beautiful little story about family complications of the life you are dealt. A family hanging by a thread, the hardships of loving and caring for a loved one with autism, the coming of age, the finding your potential. As in all races, there is a little kick and surprise in the end.

[ChristopherBell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super interesting perspective on why running can be so important for some of us.

[Cole Havins · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Running Full Tilt” by Michael Currinder, in my opinion, was one of the best books that I have read in a long time. At first glance, this book may seem like just a journey of a cross country runner becoming one of the best, but that’s only half of the story. The main portion of the story is about how Leo deals with his life outside of running and school. The story of Leo and his family having to deal with not only running, but with an older more autistic brother in Caleb, and with Leo having to deal with a new mate on top of that, is really intriguing and inspiring to me. It’s really unfortunate in the end that there is a major family tragedy, but on the positive side, I found it very inspiring that the family took many lessons from what happened, and also took lessons from the story as it goes on.
This book features a ton of action and drama, and if you are into books like that, then I absolutely recommend that you read this book. Once you start reading this book, you can’t stop, and you will be flipping pages like a machine all the way until the end of the book. The context, sequencing, and overall setup of the book is great. I may be biased because I myself am a cross country runner, but if I could read a book over and over again for the rest of my life, this would be the book I would read. I would also like to credit the author, Michael Currinder, for incorporating his own life experiences into a fantasy story, since he had an autistic brother of himself, and I also would like to credit my English teacher for recommending this book to me as well. Overall, this book definitely deserves a five-star rating. Let this review be a not that pops out of this book every time you see it. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who comes across this book.

[Edwin Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and inspiring, RUNNING FULL TILT by Michael Currinder happily lingers in my mind long after I finished the book. Leo stumbles into running, mostly because his brother Caleb, who is autistic and is very unpredictable, violently attacks Leo and Leo's defense is to run. Quickly, Leo finds out what a runner's high is and learns he is quite adept at running. Joining his high school running team lets him thrive and excel at running, while also creating a training structure Leo can depend upon and look forward to, which compared to his unpredictable home life, provides Leo a welcome relief of structure and defined purpose.
Currinder's writing style sophisticated yet relatable; he crafts an excellent story with up and downs, successes and failures, but maintains a high schooler's coming of age voice of hope, trepidation, and wonder. Being a runner myself, I found the way that Currinder wrote about running comes from a strong connection to running and in a way a non-runner couldn't have written. The way Currinder handles the brother's (Caleb)situation is through humor, harsh reality, and compassion; and by doing so, we see the underlying love and dedication Leo has for his brother, no matter what his brother throws at him.
Any runner, or someone who is familiar with a person with an autistic or other mentally disabling problem I'm convinced will feel a strong connection to RUNNING FULL TILT. Those who don't will still find Currinder's book exciting and uplifting tale with a rewarding ending.
Thank you to Charlesbridge, Michael Currinder, and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Sally Kruger]

Leo Coughlin has been running for the past year. It really hasn't been by choice. It's been more to escape. He's been escaping from nightly attacks by his older brother.

Now this may seem strange, and frankly, it is, but it makes more sense if you know the details. Leo's brother Caleb is autistic. Expressing himself is difficult and when frustration builds, he attacks. Leo is currently the victim of these attacks. He has no idea what provokes them, but he knows that Caleb is bigger and stronger which means getting away until Caleb calms down is vital.

Leo is aware that Caleb can't help himself. It is also fortunate that Leo is the receiving the brunt of these attacks rather than someone else. The family recently moved to a new neighborhood because of issues with Caleb. Things are better in the new location. Leo's running has even earned him a spot on his new school's cross country team and a few new friends.

Running is offering Leo a new way to deal with Caleb and even a new perspective on the marriage problems his parents are having. There's also a girl in the picture. Maybe this new life will have more ups than downs.

Author Michael Currinder draws on personal experience in this story of a runner and his autistic brother. Readers will be quickly drawn into the story and begin rooting for Leo as he finds himself in running. RUNNING FULL TILT will have great appeal to runners and non-runners alike.

[June Liu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with surprises and humor, as well as some sincere and heartfelt moments. In this story, the main character Leo has problems with his mentally challenged brother, Caleb. Leo joins the cross country running team and is successful. However, the whole reason Leo started running was that his brother started getting abusive. However, later in the story, the plot shifts, and it takes a different turn, in a better way; however, the ending was shocking.

I enjoyed reading the book because it was entertaining, and it involved many real-world problems that intrigue. The author does an excellent job of keeping the reader on the hook. After every chapter, I want to read more. However, in the beginning, the story was a little hard to hold, and it was not as exciting to follow up, but as the story progressed, the plot was more interesting and easier to follow. Not only that, the main character, Leo, is a genuine character, with real flaws that readers can relate to instead of being an artificial character or a stereotype. We can see as his character goes through changes and learns from experience that changes him for the better.

I would recommend this book for anyone who wants a good read, especially during this time.

[Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running full tilt did a fair job of capturing me in a way. I am actually a runner and a distance one too, just like in the book. Seeing how the meets take place the same way they do fills me with pride and drive. Aside from that this was a good read because of the plot, characters and how they interact with each other and tying in the characters with running is genius.
“Listen! I yelled. Both of you need to pull yourselves together right now. Can we try to act like a family for just one night? Especially this one”(Currinder 290). This shows the struggles of the main characters family and the death of his brother who has autism. This is the day of his funeral and how they move forward and the protagonist with running.
Turning points like these determine our pathways in life and how you move forward from them is what defines you. The family must be together and work harder because of moments in life like these.
I recommend this book especially to runners, but also to anyone in their teenage years. This not only shows struggles of running but family, school and romance from the perspective of teenagers.

[Ann Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. The plot and story line is right on target with its realism and what a joy to read a book which is spot on with knowledge of cross country and track. The training and meet vernacular are spot on making it a joy to read.
The essential part of growing up with a brother who has special needs and can be quite violent is a sad reality as well. Plus, how many siblings hide the pain, the physical pain, they go through at the hands of a strong, aggressive sibling. This reality also is sadly spot on with reality.

I especially appreciated a superb YA book which did not rely on drug use and sex to try to make it popular. I hope this book is grabbed off of the shelf for the quality read that it is. It is a worthy buy for the library. Thank you, Michael Currinder, for giving us this masterfully written book.

I received the ARC at tx. Library Assn. Convention. It goes on sale Setpt. 5, 2017.

[Julie Trapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a semiautobiographical novel. Leo, a HS junior, has an older autistic brother, Caleb. Life is not easy for Leo. The family has had to move to a more secluded neighborhood as Caleb has angered many neighbors at the previous home. To combat the violence Caleb inflicts on him (usually at night when least expected), Leo takes to running to get away from Caleb.. He joins the HS cross country and track teams and is quite successful at the sport. Many will find the descriptions of workouts and meets boring, but as a former coach of both sports, I enjoyed these descriptions. (I usually skip the descriptions of games in books about football and basketball). Eventually, Caleb takes on running, too, and participated in Special Olympics. He is always remorseful after his brutal attacks on Leo. There is also a romance between Leo and Mary. However, after tragedy strikes, Leo can no longer run away. Really a good book.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a rather confusing book. Leo has moved into a new neighborhood because his brother Caleb who is autistic but also suffers from other disabilities has caused quite a scene. In addition, Leo's parents marriage is on the rocks. So he decides to turn to track and field and begins to develop a romance. Leo also has to deal with his brother's constant violent outbursts and demanding behavior. I found the track aspect of this book to be about 90 percent boring. I didn't really care much about the side characters, especially Leo's new friend Curtis. I enjoyed the family interactions between the two brothers, but also was a big confused by the random violence. And the ending, which I will not spoil certainly kind of felt like a drop kick to me. Overall, this was an okay book that had a few merits but ultimately did not end up being a fulfilling read.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leo is a runner. He didn't know that though until he had to start escaping from his brother, Caleb, who has some type of PDD and has started to have violent episodes aimed specifically toward Leo. But as Leo starts a new school and joins the cross-country team, all the running pays off and Leo is in top form to join Curtis, the team's #1 to try to push one another to glory during the season.

Leo constantly grapples with his anger towards Caleb vs. his brotherly affection. He demonstrates his heart of gold numerous times throughout the story as he meets Caleb's classmates and helps some Special Olympians. This novel well models the trials and joys of living with a family member with significant special needs, the questions for the future that it raises, and the turmoil that it can cause within.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

[Shana OkieCozyReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Running is nothing but leaning forward, eyes and nose over your shoelaces, just letting gravity do its work. Racing is nothing but running full tilt, leaning a little farther forward, and moving your legs fast enough that you don’t frickin’ fall down. It’s a balance between running with reckless abandon and staying in control. If you find that balance, you feel like you’re flying.” P176

I’m not a sports person, so this book wasn’t as fun for me to read, but I think it would appeal to a student who loves running and cross country. It might hit close to home for a student with an autistic or angry sibling, or one with parents’ who are going through a separation or divorce. All of this made it tedious and depressing for me, but there are a few uplifting moments. Leo realizes how he can encourage his brother and works to improve himself and his relationships with others.

[Karen Gedeon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Running Full Tilt – Michael Currinder Leo is living with a brother who has autism. The family is forced to move due to Caleb’s behavior. When Caleb is happy life is great, but when he is agitated, Leo becomes Caleb’s punching bag. Escaping the beating through running, Leo soon joins cross country and finds his place at his new school. Running Full Tilt follows Leo through his junior year describing his running in detail from both the physical and psychological aspects as well as Caleb’s autism. Also included are the themes of brotherly love, first romance, unexpected sibling death, and dysfunctional parental relationships. A nice book for athletes, those who would like to learn more about what athletes endure, or anyone interested in autism in grades 7 and up.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leo has always been close with his brother, even in the face of the turmoil between his parents. The family moves from their home because the neighbors are not as accepting of the behaviors Caleb exhibits as a result of autism. In this new location, Leo has become the new target of Caleb's aggressive behaviors. Caleb begins beating up Leo, and Leo copes by shoving his brother off and running away. These reoccurring episodes build Leo's abilities as a runner, so he joins the cross-country team at school. This novel focuses on Leo's evolving relationships with new friends at school, his family, and his running ability.

The author provides strong well-developed emotions. While sports are an important part of this story, it will appeal to many readers.

[Illiana Villarreal · Rating 5 out of 5]

*THANKS TO NETGALLEY FOR PROVIDING ME WITH THIS ARC IN EXCHANGE WITH A HONEST REVIEW*

This book was amazing and something I wasn't sure I really liked. The writing style was different for me, I guess since the POV is that of a 16-17 yo boy I wasn't too much into it but I soon learned to like it. I don't usually read realistic fiction nor do I read books about sports, but this one was amazing. I loved the characters and how the real life situations were dealt with. Leo was relatable and you totally feel for him and just root for him. The family is relatable, they are not the happy-go-lucky family and that makes the story so much more real for readers. Middle grade students can find this story relatable and interesting. I am excited to purchase this book for my library!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I honestly could not put it down -- read it in one day. This is not your typical book about an autistic kid. And for that, I liked it! This story is told from the perspective of Leo whose older brother Caleb is autistic. Caleb has taken to attacking Leo, especially at night, and Leo learns to cope with the situation facing him. Part of what drew me in was the storyline of Leo joining the cross-country and track teams. Having run both of those in high school, I quickly connected to the storyline and it brought me back to my high school days. I don't find many fiction books about runners. So many life lessons to be learned here, and I appreciate the honesty with which the author approaches this story. I highly recommend this YA novel.

[CaliNativeBalboa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up "Running Full Tilt" on a whim, as a runner and cross country spectator. It's also rare to find YA books in the male voice so that was a bonus. Leo, a high school junior, joins the cross country club to put his nocturnal workouts to use. Taking to the roads after beatings from his autistic older brother Caleb, Leo is forced to escape his brother's escalating rage.
"Running Full Tilt" does a fine job realistically portraying the challenges faced by families of special needs children, particularly those on the autism spectrum. Caleb loves Leo, but is frustrated at Leo's progression while he seems to be stuck in his routines. Despite all their challenges, the love between the brothers is powerful and the message that exercise is a healthy outlet, ultimately for both brothers, is a positive one.