Well here it is – the last one…
For the last few years, Men’s Health Manchester has been my final event of the season, and has always been a rather damp affair. This year again the weather didn’t disappoint, although it did start out with lots of promise as I set off for the final hurrah.
The skies looked good with the clouds high and fairly white, but as I drove North it soon became clear it wasn’t to be and the windscreen wipers came on as the drizzle came down again.
For me this year it was a different shot as the last two years I have been pitch side at the Etihad Stadium. This year I was at the hoops which are very similar to hang tough in the Total Warrior events which I have shot many times. So, I had to get low down and work out the best way to get some dramatic shots.
I had a little time before the competitors got to my obstacle, I was close to the start so did a few creative shots of banners and the warm ups. Like Men’s Health Nottingham they start by going over three sets of straw bales, so I found a spot to get good angles with the stadium logos in the background.
Once the competitors started coming it was a constant stream of shattered runners trying to swing along the hoops with their arms shaking, many of them made it all the way along which is testament to their determination and will to succeed. All I had to do was try and keep my lens clean from the drizzle which was coming straight at me, as you can imagine this was a challenge in itself.
It has been surprising this year how many competitors I’ve seen time and time again at different events all over the country – they have recognised me and waved or shouted hi as the ran past, it’s a great feeling as they make you feel welcome and almost as though you have been involved in their trials and tribulation in each event.
So, it’s come time to bid farewell to the 2017 OCR season. It has been a fantastic year I have met some amazing people and done some monster mileage, been up to my neck in mud, almost blown away and soaked to my bones but it has been totally worth it.
BRING ON 2018, it’s going to be even bigger and better.
For a few images from this event head over to our Facebook page using the link below.
