The Big Race (1981)

Set in 1952, the story follows events around the "Peace Run", a propaganda 3-day marathon for peace. The winner is to be presented with a new motorcycle by the country's president. Chief organizer is a ruthless manipulator who will stop at nothing to make sure that the right man wins. There are two runners, Budny and Stolar, who are participating in the race for different reasons. Budny's father was imprisoned by the regime; his son thinks that winning will give him the opportunity to pass a letter to the president during prizegiving. Stolar is a shameless opportunist; he just wants the bike and does not care about the Communist beliefs. He easily sabotages a man marked to win by stealing one of his special running shoes. Though he and Budny quarrel, he lets the latter win, not because he believes in his cause but that it still is a defiant gesture to authorities. The ultimate irony is that the winner is still manipulated out of the picture and the organizers won't let him even close to the president. The prize is given to the contender.