Wednesday, July 3, 2013

001 - Faye

Trail Portrait 001 - Faye by Wayne-K
Trail Portrait 001 - Faye, a photo by Wayne-K on Flickr.

I volunteered at the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run this past weekend and I cannot think of a better venue to begin my Trail Portraits project. The WS100 web site says it best:

“The Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run is the world’s oldest and most prestigious 100-mile trail race. Starting in Squaw Valley, California near the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics and ending 100.2 miles later in Auburn, California, Western States, in the decades since its inception in 1974, has come to represent one of the ultimate endurance tests in the world.”

I helped staff the “Rucky Chucky Near” aid station, which is the famous river crossing at mile 78. The runners cross the chilly American River, while the volunteer “Cable Guys” stand in the water, holding the cable and helping ensure the safety of the runners. The front runners arrive at mile 78 around 5 PM, with the rest of the runners arriving throughout the night until the 5 AM cutoff.

For my first portrait, I’m thrilled to introduce Faye. This portrait was taken at the Rucky Chucky river crossing. Faye is no stranger to the local trail running community, having run several ultra-marathon distance races, paced local runners in races, and volunteered at many events. Faye is also no stranger to me. I first backpacked with Faye and her parents back in 1996, and there is no one on this planet that has spent more time with me on the trails over the years. For that reason, I am pleased to kick-off my trail portraits project with her photo.

29 June 2013
Western States 100
Near Auburn, CA


Here are a few more photos from the 2013 Western States 100.

Western States 100 - River Crossing at Mile 78

The front-runners were boated across the river. Once the river level lowered later in the night, the runners crossed it on foot.


Pam Smith at the River Crossing

Pam Smith, the eventual women's champion, being boated across the river.


Rucky Chucky River Crossing

Volunteers staffing the cable as runners crossed the American River.

3 comments:

  1. Wayne, what an excellent initiating post for your project. Faye has wonderful character and fortitude to be able to run that far! My hats off to her AND to you for volunteering to assist the runners. Great portraits, wonderful photos to convey the events of the day and great beginning to your project.

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  2. This looks like it will be an awesome project, Wayne. Just up your alley: photography and running! Excellent post to begin your blog, too.

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  3. Thanks guys! I'm excited about my trail portraits project because it combines photography with my love of the outdoors. I've also met so many incredible people on the trails over the years and look forward to introducing people to them via my project.

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