Filming took place over a 4 year period. Initially the film shot for 7 days, then took a 3 month break. Then it shot for another 2 days and another 3 month break. The shooting schedule continued like this until the film was complete.
Both Trista Robinson and T. Arthur Cottam learned sign language for their roles as the two deaf people.
There was originally to be a hundred people participating in the race, but only eighty people showed up so this was changed to eighty people instead.
There was no bathrooms at the correctional facility that was used as a main location.