Anybody going to shoot the Marathon Sunday?

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Since I am very familiar with this part of town and the course I am willing to chaufer 2 more people around the course Sunday.

The Elite women start at 7:40
Full Marathon starts at 8:00

I will then go to my Jeep, already have another photographer on board and we will head to the Lake to catch the runners when they hit the lake-may even catch the elite women entering the lake. If you have a long lens bring it because we will be in position to shoot them across the lake at one point- about 1/3 mile across- then we will catch them as they approach aid station at mile 19. We then will very quickly go to Swiss just past Munger-near aid station at mile 23 then catch a couple quick shots (maybe 2 minutes at most once the lead runner passes) then downtown to the finish line-I may miss the finish but will be sure that you guys are out of the car before I park.

So first come first serve on the 2 or 3 empty seats left in my Grand Cherokee.

www.runtherock.com

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Here are a few tips on shooting the race:
First the race has their own official photographers-don't know how they will be dressed for this but they have top priority to shoots since they are under contract to shoot every runner at least once on the course-the Photogs generally stay in the same spot the whole race.

I would say the widest lens to use for any close up shot is a 50 and I would lean more towards the 200MM range since the rabbits will be moving fast and you do not want to intefere with their running-do not forget that after about mile 20 they start to zone in and most likely won't even notice you.

There are some interesting spots along the way-each aid station in the past has it's own volunteer group running it and they like to decorate them up- one year I saw one as a MASH unit and the people were all in Korean War Military Outfits.

If you go to the website above you can find a course map with aid station locations.

I don't think that there are any good high vantage points to shoot the runners from until they are coming back into downtown. (I'll look at the course and check out locations saturday or friday and will let you all know if I see a good one).

There is a good hill right after they leave the lake heading toward Lakewood that sends a lot of people walking.

Dress for the WIND!
Dallas Morning News has a nice group of stories about the race
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...2006/rockstar/

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

I was just out at the lake and the route coming back for those not familiar and here are some of the shots
http://www.pbase.com/demdeepellummus...damage_3192006
at the end of the album.
(check the album after 6:30 tonight)

[Hanky]

under consideration.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Ok there are going to be some SUPER ELITE Athletes running the Marathon. I talked to one of the race directors today and they are looking for a sub 2:10 race, aka 4:50-4:58 Miles!
I would not be surpised to see some of these names in the results
http://www.active.com/rankings/index...leaders&type=2

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Rick and I had a great time chasing the elite runners around the course, Some great shots were out there just for the taking today and shooting a marathon can be a heck of a challenge!

A new course record was set today and the winner collected $35,000!!!!!! (He got a bonus catching the elite woman winner) The woman also I believe set a course record for women, conditions until about noon today were just about perfect for a marathon and then they went to Heck with the rain/mist that came in. I believe that I have some good examples of that also!

So you can ask Rick if I know East Dallas better than the back of my hand! *we were having to chase the elite by going off course since the road for the course was shut down for about 1/2 mile ahead of them at any time.

I also got a Thank You From the man who then Won the Race for telling him to turn at a certain point (race volunteers were standing over to the side and not doing their thing-in fact he was almost directed to the WRONG finish LINE because the cop at the split point didn't realize he was the mens leader for the full marathon!)

So look for my Pbase album in about a day or two- Shot a lot of crowd shots, team shots after the race for relay teams, Special Guests, Awards Ceremony of the Checks and all sorts of runners-EVEN BORAT!!!

Soon off to the Gospel competition at Kwanzafest!

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

The Winner at about the 25.5 mile mark, he only won $35,000!!!!!
http://www.pbase.com/image/71492466