This raises a lot of issues I think about a lot. As an RD. As a runner. As a member of the media. Some of the first races I did you were lucky to have one picture. And if it was available for purchase you usually did. Now, there's hundreds of pictures of everything I do. We pay a photographer at our races just to take pictures of the event generally, candid shots, etc. not specifically of every runner or the like, and we offer them to the runners for free. It will someday be hard for that to compete with the continuous video coverage and all the other media out there. But at the same time I'm not sure if I really am, you see, this growth and professionalism and media collaboration etc. drives a lot of attention to a few races, which grow exponentially and can afford these things, which causes them to continue to grow. New runners think this is what trail running is, so they want to do those specific races for those specific experiences. Then they come to a smaller race and expect it, or are surprised by it, or don't come at all because the media and podcasts don't cover it. Which might not be bad either.
My races are smaller, with tons of swag, free food and drink and pictures. We have an unmonitored keg at the finish line. We even let the townspeople in on it. But if it was thousands of people like these mega races, I'm sure I couldn't do that. so there's an upside and downside.
I really feel for photographers though. Before these recent modernizations they were already struggling. I did a long form podcast with Scott Rokis about it and was really perplexed as to why we can't find a model to make a good living for them. And now I fear these photographers are left with the Hobson's choice of investing learning and modernizing, or fading away.
The good news is that this hyper tech, hyper hype, hyper growth, professionalism modernist culture only seems to be bubbling at a handful of races. You can still go to some races and then get home and say "Did anyone even take any pictures this weekend?" Which I kinda like too :)
Really great piece, thank you for sharing this! As a runner, volunteer, race director, and photographer, what you say resonates tremendously. One one hand I love being able to watch golden hour at Western States live and see all of the incredible stories unfold. Yet, I also understand that this sport isn't meant to be flashy. It's meant to be about the community that is builds and the places it takes people. In recent years, photographing races like Superior, Zumbro, Badger, Arrowhead, etc I've seen a huge uptick in "media crews" for runners. People trying to capture every moment that they can of their athlete's experience. Yes, that can result in some inspiring content to help entice the next generation to get into the sport, but what kind of experience is that for the people participating in the race who might be looking for solitude, or trying to get lost in their experience?
I know there's a balance to be struck by all this, but it feels like we're in a squishy middle moment where we have different tensions pulling against each other. I'm hopeful that on the other side we'll emerge with something we all still love, yet be able to provide some satiation for people who want to know and see more of this sport.
This is an excellent piece Sarah, and one that’s important for our sport. I also adore Howie and I appreciate you shining a spotlight on his feelings and challenges as more media enters the sport.
Great post, Sarah. I think those of us who’ve been in the sport for a lot of years have such mixed feelings about the explosive growth of certain marquee events. I’m glad people have choices still, and I hope smaller old school events like Scott’s continue to remain a viable option. I hate crowds and hype, so at least I still have the choice of doing low key events. Hoping that always continues to be an option, because it feels most true to the sport’s origins.
This raises a lot of issues I think about a lot. As an RD. As a runner. As a member of the media. Some of the first races I did you were lucky to have one picture. And if it was available for purchase you usually did. Now, there's hundreds of pictures of everything I do. We pay a photographer at our races just to take pictures of the event generally, candid shots, etc. not specifically of every runner or the like, and we offer them to the runners for free. It will someday be hard for that to compete with the continuous video coverage and all the other media out there. But at the same time I'm not sure if I really am, you see, this growth and professionalism and media collaboration etc. drives a lot of attention to a few races, which grow exponentially and can afford these things, which causes them to continue to grow. New runners think this is what trail running is, so they want to do those specific races for those specific experiences. Then they come to a smaller race and expect it, or are surprised by it, or don't come at all because the media and podcasts don't cover it. Which might not be bad either.
My races are smaller, with tons of swag, free food and drink and pictures. We have an unmonitored keg at the finish line. We even let the townspeople in on it. But if it was thousands of people like these mega races, I'm sure I couldn't do that. so there's an upside and downside.
I really feel for photographers though. Before these recent modernizations they were already struggling. I did a long form podcast with Scott Rokis about it and was really perplexed as to why we can't find a model to make a good living for them. And now I fear these photographers are left with the Hobson's choice of investing learning and modernizing, or fading away.
The good news is that this hyper tech, hyper hype, hyper growth, professionalism modernist culture only seems to be bubbling at a handful of races. You can still go to some races and then get home and say "Did anyone even take any pictures this weekend?" Which I kinda like too :)
Lots to think about from this.
Great post and thank you for keeping it honest. Hopefully you Howie and I and everyone else with the desire will be running at 90.
Really great piece, thank you for sharing this! As a runner, volunteer, race director, and photographer, what you say resonates tremendously. One one hand I love being able to watch golden hour at Western States live and see all of the incredible stories unfold. Yet, I also understand that this sport isn't meant to be flashy. It's meant to be about the community that is builds and the places it takes people. In recent years, photographing races like Superior, Zumbro, Badger, Arrowhead, etc I've seen a huge uptick in "media crews" for runners. People trying to capture every moment that they can of their athlete's experience. Yes, that can result in some inspiring content to help entice the next generation to get into the sport, but what kind of experience is that for the people participating in the race who might be looking for solitude, or trying to get lost in their experience?
I know there's a balance to be struck by all this, but it feels like we're in a squishy middle moment where we have different tensions pulling against each other. I'm hopeful that on the other side we'll emerge with something we all still love, yet be able to provide some satiation for people who want to know and see more of this sport.
This is an excellent piece Sarah, and one that’s important for our sport. I also adore Howie and I appreciate you shining a spotlight on his feelings and challenges as more media enters the sport.
Great post, Sarah. I think those of us who’ve been in the sport for a lot of years have such mixed feelings about the explosive growth of certain marquee events. I’m glad people have choices still, and I hope smaller old school events like Scott’s continue to remain a viable option. I hate crowds and hype, so at least I still have the choice of doing low key events. Hoping that always continues to be an option, because it feels most true to the sport’s origins.