Taking the lead

One of the challenges with photographing a race is to try to get to different parts of the course before the runners do so that you can get shots from different vantage points.  When I photographed the Great Ireland Run in the Phoenix Park last April I had less than 30 minutes before the leaders reached the finish line, and getting out on course for some photos and then back to the finish before them required me to do my own bit of running.  Things are a little easier when the distance is a marathon, although you’d be surprised how fast the leaders get around the course.

Having photographed the start of the race from my vantage point on Fitzwilliam Square I made my way down to street level and took a few documentary-style shots of the discarded clothing that littered the street, before the council workers gathered it all up for donation to charity.

I returned to my office, packed up my gear, locked up and strolled over to the Luas at Charlemont.  I wasn’t rushing, but I wasn’t delaying too much either.  I didn’t have to wait long for a Luas, made my way out to Milltown, and settled down just beyond the viaduct that carries the Luas over Milltown Road, which was right at the 18 mile mark.  I’d say I was there no more than fifteen minutes when these two runners, leading the marathon, came into view.

Just think about it – in the time it had taken me to pack up, take a few snaps, stroll to a Luas station and take the tram a couple of miles at probably 40 miles and hour, the leading runners in the marathon had been out to Castleknock, back to Walkinstown, and now were completing their 18th mile.  Phenonemal.

As it turned out this photograph is at a pivotal point in the race, because it was later reported that the ultimate winner of the marathon (Fiyesa Lilesa, on the right here) took the lead at the 18 mile mark.   He went on to run the 26 mile 385 yard course an agonising five seconds outside the course record, in a time of 2 hours, 9 minutes and 12 seconds.

I didn’t get back to the finish before he did because I wanted to photograph another athlete who was a little further back, but headed my way.  Also, this was proving to be a great spot for photographs.  More on that tomorrow.