A gaunt, bushy-bearded, 44-year-old Wes Holman returns to his northern California roots after a 20-year absence, determined to enter one of America's oldest distance races.

Pam Grier’s role was cut from the theatrical release but reinstated in VHS versions[4] In a 1986 interview, Dern said that writer-director Rob Nilsson and co-producer Jeffrey Hayes raised an initial $300,000 of the $1.6M budget by "going to races around the country and seeking contributions of as little as $10.

Some shots from the runners’ POV were captured by second unit director-camera operator Stephen Lighthill running with a camera either under his arm or dangling by his knee.

[10] Writer Roy Kissin has run the Dipsea multiple times[11] and is featured as one of the runners that cross the line holding hands with Bruce Dern, wearing race number 321[12] John Marley died shortly after completing his role; On the Edge was his final screen appearance and is dedicated to his memory.

[13] In his May 2, 1986 Chicago Sun-Times review, critic Roger Ebert awarded the film three-and-a-half out of a possible four stars, singling out Bruce Dern "in one of his best performances."