With Storm Dennis the Menace on the horizon, it was touch and go whether the race would actually take place. I felt sorry for the race organiser. Whatever decision he made, the weather on the day could prove to be disastrous.
Steve Dommett offered me a lift and I was more than happy to accept. Driving isn't my favourite pastime. Setting off at around 9:15, this gave me plenty of time to provide Willow with a decent walk. A tour round the fields from about sevenish until half past eight was just the ticket. Muddy wasn't in it, the rain had taken its toll on some of the low walls along the track we take each morning.
Double checked the gear: Nikon D500 and the 85mm prime lens
The batteries were charged and the memory cards wiped from the last outing.
Ready. Waterproofs, don't forget the waterproofs.
Met someone in town on Wednesday, a pupil from the same junior school that I attended. Recognised him without hesitation. Hadn't seen him for 56 years!
I can't remember people from a couple of years back, how does that work?
Lo and behold, walked into the clubhouse at the venue and … "You went to St Edwin's Junior School, didn't you." Another blast from the past. He was shocked that I'd managed to remember him.
Met up with Andrew Swales, another TOG (photographer) and worked out where we'd stand during the race.
Unfortunately, the rain had created massive puddles around the course where I usually stand and snap.
Panic!
The route had to be changed and a mass of street furniture was brought in to direct the runners around the track.
Where to go.
Panic stations.
Andrew took the start and the exit onto the road.
For some strange reason, I picked a very tight bend on the chicane that had been created by the route change. Visualizing an image is one thing, what actually comes out of the can, is another. Half way through the field and I was desperate to move.
TRAPPED - the sheer volume of runners prevented me from moving. I'd just have to accept whatever I'd created.
Above image: This is where I should have parked my bum. The background is spot on and a decent distance from the runner, separation it's called.
Bends are an excellent spot for photographers; the shapes created by the figures can produce far more keepers than anywhere else.
The flood of competitors turned into a trickle. If everything went to plan and no short course problems occurred, they'd be back in just over twenty minutes. Time to stake my claim to the finish line. Unfortunately, tyres and cones and tape and everything else under the sun had been brought in to create two lanes. I can't say I was happy to include these in my compositions, but there was no way I could exclude them from the frame.
Here they, well ... he comes. A Penistone runner, not sure who he is.
And ... relax.
The runners were finishing on the right-hand side of the track and not the usual left side. Most of them decided to take the central route and this made it difficult with the tyres, tapes and bollards in the way. SH*T!
Looking a bit "tyred" these two? Flying feet all the way to the finish. Shame about the tyres and van and cones... ARGH!
This has to be one of my top five images of the day. The effort shown by Daniel Smith and John Hackleton is fantastic, many thanks to both of them for providing me with this composition.
Changed position a few times, mainly to keep the gantry out of my shots. I would have loved to have snapped people on the bend and on the finishing straight. Then I'd be almost certain to provide them with at least one decent image. Ah well.
Event more or less over and I missed the last half a dozen runners, Steve was waiting to whisk me back home. Apologies, hopefully Andrew managed to capture your efforts. Sunday lunch at Cubley Hall, I'd better not be late. Willow would be waiting for her "doggy bag" treat.
The last time I ran the Wombwell 5 was in 2008, at the ripe old age of 56. My time would have put me a hair's breath in front of Richard Mackie in Sunday's race, 33rd spot.
I should have kept running a bit longer maybe.
Thanks to everyone concerned with the race, you were amazing. Thanks to Andrew for joining me and providing you with even more memories. Hopefully we didn't miss anyone.
See you soon.
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