frjack Loc: Boston, MA

The marathon went off today on Patriot's Day, a holiday unique to two counties in Massachusetts. Patriots Day falls on the 3rd Monday of April. Full sun but temps not much above 50. Our satellite community is two blocks off Commonwealth Ave (Rt 30) at Mile 21, the end of Heartbreak Hill.

All photos shot with EM1 mkii using the 40-150 2.8 with the 1.4 teleconverter. Will be processing for a while, a job that will include tossing out a lot of mistakes. I need to work on panning. I was focusing more on the faces of the runners than the overall race thus shooting at about 210 mm. Each face tells a story.

There was a medical tent about 20 yards further down the hill. Some of the runners dropped out there. The air was cool but the sun was intense. I suspect cramping was a problem.

This is my favorite shot of any I've taken at the marathon. A bit of personal history when a friend took a photo of reflections in my sunglasses ovef 40 years ago. I've been chasing those reflections ever since.

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All were shot at ISO 1000 or so f/9 plus or minus a stop. I love Olympus.

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Used continuous auto focus.

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The elite runners have their names on the bib. The rest have numbers. There were 30k runners.

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The men's leaders.

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The wheelchairs and variety of hand and foot powered devices started in staggered fashion at 8:30 AM. The elite men went off at 9:30mfollowed by the elite women and then the general population.

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Another reflection in homage to my buddy from decades ago. Processed all with Capture One 21.

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UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

An interesting and varied set well recorded!

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Thanks. The weather was spectacular.

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Great shooting.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Good work frjack!

Don

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Great photos!!! I love the intensity on the faces. I think #1 is the best of the bunch.

Dodie

BArthur3

One small disagreement about Massachusetts counties involved in the holiday: actually a holiday for all of the Commonwealth -- I'm in Essex County and definitely celebrated here. Now Evacuation Day (aka St Patrick's Day) is limited to two counties. Plus Patriots Day delays tax filing for a day for all of the Commonwealth as well. But darn good photos taken!!

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Thanks for the clarification. I am not a native (lined in PA for forty-three years first). Stayed on Comm just above the BC entrance for over three hours. Lots to edit.

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

Here’s a bit of marathon trivia. My buddy’s wife used to run full marathons all over the world, so this comes straight from the horse’s mouth. The reason most marathon winners are photographed from the waist up when crossing the finish line is because all too often they have soiled themselves or have puked all over their shoes-legs-shorts. After running 26 miles, she said their body is totally sacked out and they have very little control over anything, much like a car rolling down a hill with no one at the steering wheel.

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

One of the reasons I never raced, esp a marathon. About ten years ago the forecast was for 90 degrees by 11 AM. The BAA announced that anyone who did not want to run because of health concerns would be guaranteed a number the following year. Heat stroke is much scarier that running in the cold. Thanks for the reminder.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Very nice set - well done!

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Interesting photos of the runners, and the first one, the reflection, is outstanding.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

In downeast Machias Maine they have an annual Blueberry Festival which has in the past included a 5K run. Although in early August, being on the coast of Maine, the temperature early in the morning was never very high - however, being on the coast of Maine in the morning the humidity was always 100%. One year a runner died of heat stroke. The next year I was working the ER on the day of the Blueberry Run - we had the chilled saline ready and the chilling bed on and ready to go. Sure enough, the ambulance brought in an unresponsive young man whose core temp was 106 degrees. He would have been worse, and possibly died, except he collapsed in the front yard of a little old Maine lady who was out watering her flowers. She immediately brought her hose over and started hosing him down before the ambulance arrived. He survived without any complications - but we all learned that the ability of your sweat to cool you down is paramount - even on a "little" 5K race. I also think that because the temperature was not hot and that it was just a 5K that the runners pushed harder than they might normally have.

rdemarco52 Loc: Wantagh, NY

Great captures of facial expressions.