Bristol Half Marathon 2008 - * Warning some slightly uneasy images *

Bristol Pete · 14-09-2008, 8:38 PM

Covered this again. Early start and on site with coffee for 8.30 ish to recce the route as Council change it every year. From a photography point of view, the start and finish are in front of the sun. So whilst you get some lovely back/rim light that strobists may love, you get some issues and are forced to use fill flash. Far from ideal.

They now get 15,000 runners so the race was run in two stages with a staggered start. Nice idea though I feel that the bigger these races get, the more of a parody they become. Yes, the fund raising is sound and it is a good cash cow for the council which will hopefully buy some new bike lanes. I wish.

The winners came in at about 65 minutes and I was slightly upset that Mr. Mayor and Kip Kieno did not keep the winners tape upright as I wanted the winner folding through it. Overall, a nice selection.

A Brit won it today as the Kenyans had visa issues and missed their flight. Mmmmmmmm, suspicious or what !

Bristol Pete · 14-09-2008, 8:38 PM

Moving away from the elite athletes, I became aware of lots of sirens so I went to investigate. It seems people were dropping like flies as it was a very unexpected hot day today. Ambulances and staff everywhere. Needless to say, I did take some pictures and took a load off grief from an ambulance man, which is understandable, if regrettable, but that's news, though hardly vietnam.

It never ceases to amaze me when I cover running events. I see the casual fun runners turn up and run past in all sorts of atire and today was no exception. I saw a girl running in those Nike camel toe daps with no socks on - surely someone could have said 'Thats a bad idea'....though there were far too many bad ideas to mention here.

All shoot between F/2.8 and F/4, various ISO between 200 - 800 at max, if in the shadows. 300mm F2.8 and 24-70 were the lenses of choice along with an SB800.

Liquid101 · 14-09-2008, 8:45 PM

Quality set of shots, Pete. I like the different styles and angles you've chosen. Can't be easy coming up with interesting shots of people running.

Sad to see the casualties - I saw on the news one chap died at another half marathon today in Nottingham.

Anyway - nice set, plenty for a picture editor to choose from.

Bristol Pete · 14-09-2008, 8:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liquid101

Quality set of shots, Pete. I like the different styles and angles you've chosen. Can't be easy coming up with interesting shots of people running.

Sad to see the casualties - I saw on the news one chap died at another half marathon today in Nottingham.

Anyway - nice set, plenty for a picture editor to choose from.

Thanks.

That was the frustration today. This was a shoot live job for the BBC local and national site who expect 37,000 snaps of fun runners. Not for me. Also, I dumped 150 frames on the desk at about noon for them to sort. They are not picture ed's so end up destroying my images, but that is life I suppose. This came out ok -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7615151.stm

Liquid101 · 14-09-2008, 8:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bristol Pete

Thanks.

That was the frustration today. This was a shoot live job for the BBC local and national site who expect 37,000 snaps of fun runners. Not for me. Also, I dumped 150 frames on the desk at about noon for them to sort. They are not picture ed's so end up destroying my images, but that is life I suppose. This came out ok -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7615151.stm

Funnily enough - I just saw that one

Radiohead · 14-09-2008, 8:56 PM

Excellent work.

As a runner myself it never ceases to amaze me that people think they can just run 13 miles without any sort of prep. Mental.

**senu** · 14-09-2008, 8:56 PM

I like them guts and Glory

Saying that the casualty pics are a sobering one.. Marathons have an edge to them that says the unprepared should remain spectators .

Tobers · 14-09-2008, 9:00 PM

Super stuff Pete. I imagine the ambulance & desparation shots will make the most money for you. You know how it goes.

Bristol Pete · 14-09-2008, 9:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobers

Super stuff Pete. I imagine the ambulance & desparation shots will make the most money for you. You know how it goes.

Not sure really as the are a bit morbid and the local press like to portray Bristol as a haven.....you know, cat stuck in tree incident.

Holowlegs · 14-09-2008, 9:11 PM

Great set Pete.

The 2nd lot really do tell a story of there own,

I seem to prefer these to the 1st lot. Especially the 3rd one down were the man is getting help at the roadside, the one of the little watching is a peach of a shot. But its the last one for me, that's story telling through photography if you know what I mean.

Cheers Holo

jonnypb · 14-09-2008, 9:26 PM

love the 1st set of pics, some great compositions and creativity

wasn't so keen on the casualty pics where the people are identifiable

ies · 14-09-2008, 9:40 PM

Good work Pete, like the images.

I was shooting the London Duathlon today different type fo brief to you but it was hot but thankfully didn't have the drama you seemed to have.

I love the grey street shot and the running feet.