10 week on week
This week.
The Wrexham 10k
This is Wrexham, week on week.
Wrexham 10k.
I'm a man of principles, which sometimes covers the fact that I'm careful with money. When Coventry announced that tickets were £45 I shouted “NO”. I refused to buy a ticket at that price. Even with Wrexham Football Club trolling me by offering free transport, it wouldn't convince me to buy a ticket. “No”. I also had access to a ticket for the FA Cup semi-final, but I vowed never to go to Wembley again, as I've never enjoyed myself at a football match there, although if Wrexham get to the playoff final I might have to rethink. A man of principles does have limits.
So no football for me, so I needed something else to fill my time. I hear the Wrexham 10k is on, so I might pop along with my camera for a look. And it turned out to be an uplifting morning. I turned up but didn't think about asking about a media pass, and saw 2 photographers in media bibs. I've realised that the best way of getting access to better shots is finding the official photographer and befriending them. And as long as you don't get in the way of him, you'll be fine. And then Micky Thomas turned up.
I went to say Hi to him and was honoured for him to buy me a coffee. He was interviewed before the race that he and the mayoress was starting. I wandered around and tried to get some warming up shots. As the time ticked up to nine, the starting time, I set up my 360° camera for the video, and got a position for the start. We are ready. 9am on the dot and the gun was fired. And we're off.
Thankfully I'd had the coffee off Micky because as soon as the race started there were queues in all the shops as family and friends waited for the finish. And the good thing with it being 10k it isn't long until the first runners are back with us. I took some great pictures.
These athletes were impressive but this wasn't the thing that impressed me most. It was the fun runners. The first timers. The smiles on their faces as they crossed the line. I happened to capture some lovely sights. I did a video of a dad stopping to put his son on his shoulders for the last 100 metres. The dad sees it online and I gladly sent him a copy.
I then take some shots of finishers showing off their medals and wait for the last few runners. I'm impressed by the encouragement of others. The camaraderie. The way others retrace the route to shout the runners home. I feel the emotion as runners, beaming smiles, finish their first run. I admire the Personal Best bell ringers.
I spend a few hours editing and I must admit, I'm proud of my work. I make a note to try other sports. I hang around for the prize giving, but I'm amazed not many others do. Then I realise that most of the runners are not here to win. They are here to complete, not compete. Finishing the race is winning. They are all winners. I go home and watch 2 depressing games of football (for me anyway) and accept that this morning race had been the highlight of the day. And I'm already looking forward to the next race.
This is Wrexham, week on week.
The football club, the music scene, the people and the places that make the town what it is..