10K Race

[Julio1fer]

Run!



Every Spring we have this Nike 10 km race. I had never seen a start, so I went to the awesome Palacio Legislativo to watch how they manage to get about 8,000 runners to start orderly. The key seems to be to order runners by their speed, and fence them securely until it is time to start.



Before the race, the mood is quite relaxed. Some people do their workout with a lot of concentration, but many just talk and enjoy the crowd, which is most typical of this city. However, as the starting time nears, everybody wants to get near the starting position and smiles give their place to more stressed gestures.



I went from the start point to a curve, about half a mile from the start point. I found most impressive the wheelchair and blind runners (they run along with a caretaker which is tied to them).  Many people seems to run in groups with friends and relatives.



Thanks for looking!  Technical:  Pentax ME, FP4+

[jamesmck]

Julio - A very nice presentation and commentary.  You obviously made selections carefully to tell your story.  Well done.

James

[Julio1fer]

Thanks, James! There is a story behind everyone in this race.

[Dennis Gallus]

Hello, Julio,

Your post has special meaning to me.  I've run two marathons (the last 12 years ago) so I can really identify with the stretching, the emotion, the tension, the pain and the good feeling you get when you are ready to drop and the crowd suddenly starts urging you on with a cheer.  Your photos are well-chosen to convey all this, thanks for an excellent post.

The Pentax ME was a good camera.  My wife still prefers hers above all other 35mm cameras. 

Best regards,
Dennis

[Madrigal]

I like the last shot for the light and composition- works well all around. Have to agree about the Palacio as a backdrop. Pretty impressive.

[lesged]

Julio,

Another wonderful series of photos and a succinct description of the event—an ability I haven’t yet acquired. I always use too many words. Bravo on both accounts: for photos and the description.

I never ran in a marathon, but was ready and fit to run one, but chickened out back in the 1960s. Hard to believe this pudgy bellied, old timer once was a member of the first physical fitness committee of New England YMCAs. I was active at the Cambridge "Y" and was the substitute instructor to give classes on fitness and running, when the AD and Asst. AD couldn't lead the class. We wore sneakers, not running shoes, and to be in the 100 mile club was a big deal then.

I haven’t run in years, but enjoy seeing other people run- a vicarious thrill.  The blind and wheelchair participants are to be commended.

.

[Julio1fer]

Thanks Dennis, Rose, Les for your kind comments. I also feel a lot of empathy for these runners and their effort!  I have never run track or street, unless you count those almost-missing-the-%&@#-bus sprints.

Les, I'm not surprised by your athletic abilities, you look like a wiry fitness instructor even today!