Cross Country Running (UK)

I caught up with my sister over Christmas and learned that my niece would be running a cross country race nearby, so I arranged to meet up.

The course soon became a challenge and even the non competitive areas deteriorated rapidly for spectators, but the atmosphere was exceptionally warm considering the cold and wet weather.

Having not photographed this sport before, I guessed the 70-200 2.8 would be my best tool - I was right, as on Av shutter speed varied between 125-500 at ISO 400 (7D)

That said, not all my results were keepers, as it is difficult to get a blur free image (leg/arm extremities) and the occasional front-on missing lower leg.

Still, a good day out with some reasonable results - including my niece's result enabling her to run for the County U15's and came away with a team gold medal.

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Your first time at XC , you've done really well.

I use the 70-200 for XC too, but get that shutter speed nice and high, as you say the hands are moving faster than they look. The half a leg missing is something many forget about, you noticed the issue at your first go, so that's well spotted of your part.

Two ways to reduced the half leg, the practice, practice and practice till you get it right, or machine gun that shutter and pick the good shots. LOL

If your area is like here in the NW there'll be loads of races, nearly every weekend as there are at least 5 leagues within 30 miles of me.

The shots of the girls in the splashing mud are great, and a nice podium group (they never stay there for me )

Love the splashing mud and slop in the 4th and 6th shots!

Thank you.

I agree, the splashy pictures work best.

I posted a little extra background info, as I did not find much when I did my initial search. Hopefully the info here might help others.

The podium shot was quite funny. The middle girl is my niece, so it was quite easy to ask her and her team friends to stand at the far side of a large puddle (water logged grass) as I needed some distance as I still had the 70-200 on the camera (I only have one body). Of course, as soon as other snappers saw the pose with the silverware, about half-a-dozen or so walked into the water to take their shots (while my feet stayed dry) - made me chuckle.

Here's an example of a missing limb:

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That split second makes all the difference, from a nah! shot, to a good-un.

I to shot at 4 frames a second, but do know a fellow tog who only ever shoots single shot and very rarely loses limbs, but he has been shooting XC and fell for 30 years plus.

Congtats on the paper, but if like ours they NEVER pay )-: used to do but not now.

nice group, my favs are the first and last

Great shots Trugga. Congrats on falling for a great sport. My son ran from 8th grade thru 5 years of college.

Splashing and mud always makes for a great shot!