I love it when I have an opportunity to photograph a trail race. One of my favorites is the Hills Creek Challenge. This is an event that is a timed race instead of a set distance. Runners can choose between 3, 6, and 12 hours.

Durring whatever time they choose runners will try to complete as many laps as they can or want. Runners traverse a 3 mile loop around a beautiful lake at Hills Creek State Park in PA. It is a really nice scenic park and the trails are not too technical.

I ran this race in its inaugeral edition and I have been back each year since as its race photogrpaher. I love the long time and loop style event because as a photographer it fgives me plenty of opportunites to capture a wide variety of images. It also gives me better odds of capturing good images of each runner.

However, this year the weather didn’t really want to cooperate. I spent most of the day trying to stay out of the rain and sat under my canopy near the start/finish line. As a result this year I didn’t capture quite the variety of images as I would have liked. I couldn’t really get out on the course into the distinct different areas over the three miles that I love.

But being where I was allowed me to focus on a more portrait style type of race day photogrpahy. I was able to watch the runenrs come and go from the aid station and their own personal set ups. Eat, drink, and move on.

Or in some cases sit, rest, stretch, and contemplate life. Then get up and keep moving.

As is any day out on the trails and behind a lens, this was a good day. All the runenrs are so inspiring. I am thinkign of foregoing my photography duties in the future so I can take another shot at running the race, but I haven’t decided for sure yet.

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