frjack Loc: Boston, MA

There was no marathon last year. Typically it has been run on Patriot's Day, a holiday unique to two counties in MA, when it usually begins around 11 AM or so. It was run this AM with the elite men beginning at 8:37 and the elite women at 8:45. BC was effectively under lockdown beginning at 7 AM until some time in the afternoon.

Weather was perfect for running in the low 60s, no humidity, and cloudy until well after the winners crossed the finish line. Boston College is on Commonwealth Ave aka Rt 30 at mile 21, which is just beyond the top of Heartbreak Hill. Our small satellite community is one block off the course. Spent about 2 hours shooting. EM1 mk ii with either the 12-40 2.8 pro or the 40-150 2.8 pro. Took most of the photos with the latter. ISO hovering around 1600-3200.

Just downloaded Capture One 21, an upgrade from v 10. Used it for the processing. Liking it but there is a bit of a learning curve. Had hoped to use pro capture on the Olympus for the first time but it would have been more prudent to try to learn how to do it a few days ago, not one hour before. Gave up. Whenever I have to read camera manuals or computer manuals I develop acute severe dyslexia. Nothing makes sense. Lots more photos to play with.

I was shooting about 10 yards from this sign. From this point on the last five miles go downhill or level.

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The leaders of the pack (vroom vroom). The winning time was 2:09:35. The leaders covered the last five miles and change in 24 minutes.

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The pack was tight.

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There were 20,000 runners as opposed to the usual 30,000. Explained as "social distancing" but sheer lunacy would be a better term.

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The women began arriving later. Both the men's and women's races were won by Kenyans.

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First two women behind the truck.

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It becomes impossible to cross Comm Ave once the thundering herd comes down Comm Ave.

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CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Great action!

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Thanks for commenting. It was a pretty good morning.

Heartbreak Hill isn't terribly steep but it is long. Crowd control was pretty much by rope strung through orange cones except for Heartbreak Hill which was lined with metal fence barriers. I was going to take my camera bag with me and then realized that if I showed up with a bag large enough to hold a pressure cooker I could be in for some difficulty. Heavy security presence.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

Great pics!

I used to travel to Newton on business, and stayed at the Marriott. I'd run Commonwealth Avenue up to the entrance to Boston College and back. At the time, I never knew that was Heartbreak Hill.

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

That is quite a run. I pass the Marriott several times a week going to and from Framingham. My family stayed at the Marriott on ordination weekend fourteen years ago. Nice setting and very convenient to the highways and BC (turn left and stop when you get there).

There is a running shoe store at the bottom of heartbreak hill that has been there for at least 24 years. The challenge is the length, especially after all the other hills. Because of the hills and the downhill for the last five miles a runner can't set a world record at Boston. The Boston record is 2' 3" and a few seconds. The world record is two minutes less than that.

Sylvias Loc: North Yorkshire England

Excellent action series frjack.

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Thanks for commenting. Still editing. Took about 350.