It’s probably not obvious from my website, but although I travel all over New England (and beyond) for shoots, my family and I live in a small coastal town of Falmouth on Cape Cod.
When we first moved here nearly 15 years ago, the transition from life in the enormous metropolis of Moscow, Russia, to a quiet seaside town was … let’s just say, a challenge. We tried the usual small-town family bonding activities: board games, movie nights, bowling, we even had a giant family puzzle spread across our dining room table, none of it stuck.
Then something unexpected happened: my wife, the least likely runner in the world, bought a pair of running shoes and went for a jog. My sons and I watched in amusement, in mocking disbelief, yet she kept going. Eventually, she guilted the rest of us into joining her and made running a family activity.
For my wife, simply running was enough of a challenge. But my sons and I needed a bigger goal. Thankfully, Falmouth happens to be home to one of the quirkiest running events in the world: the Falmouth Road Race, so we had our goal!
The Falmouth Road Race and it’s unusual origin story
Everything about this race is unusual, from its origin legend, to its odd distance, to the sheer number of people who flood our little town every August, braving traffic, the heat, the overcrowded hotels and restaurants, all this, just to run the race!
Local lore credits the race to Tommy Leonard, a bartender at Woods Hole’s Captain Kidd restaurant and bar. After watching Frank Shorter compete in the Olympic marathon, Leonard reportedly convinced his friends to close up the bar and run, not drive or walk to another bar across town. The distance between the two bars? Seven miles.
Photo by my father-in-law Michael Zagachin (www.redberryphoto.com)
That quirky distance stuck. For 52 years, the race has been a staple of Falmouth’s summer tradition. Today, over 11,000 runners and more than 75,000 spectators line the course. The spectators ring cowbells, wave hand drawn signs, clap until their hands ache, and of course angling cameras and phones to capture “their” runner, which is no small feat in bright sun, the heat, with 11 thousand runners moving past.
Best Places to Photograph Your Runner
It might be tempting to head for the obvious spots: the starting line in Woods Hole, the first hill by Nobska Lighthouse or the finish line in Falmouth Heights.
But in my opinion, these locations are not great, they will be packed with runners and spectators. Not only will you be adding to the congestion and chaos, but you’re also likely to miss your runner.
Instead, pick spots where the runners have spread out and you can clearly see them approaching. Some of my favorites:
- Surf Drive — a long, flat stretch along the shoreline. By this point in the race, the crowd has thinned, giving you a clear view. Parking is also more likely to be available here.
- Falmouth Heights Road or the start of Grand Avenue — great vantage points before the big hill. Just be aware parking is much more challenging here.
If I had to choose only one, I’d pick Surf Drive for the combination of scenery, visibility, and parking.
How Not to Miss Your Runner
The biggest challenge in photographing a runner at the Falmouth Road Race, or any crowded race is not to miss your runner. Here’s how to improve your odds:
- Agree on a Specific Spot
Choose a spot ahead of time, where your runner will expect to see you. If you’re not local to Falmouth, walk, run, or even drive the course a couple of days before race day to scout a good location. Remember, parking is always a nightmare on raceday, so build in time to arrive, park, and walk to your spot. - Use a Tracking App
Have your runner use a tracking up, so you always know where they are. Knowing the course will help with that too.
How to get that shot of your runner:
Before I dive in, I want to make it clear, don’t expect too much from the photos. Almost everything is working against you, the bright sun, the heat, the crows and your runner – actually running! But here are some tips:
Camera Settings for Speed & Sunlight
Shutter Speed: use 1/1000 sec or faster to freeze motion (especially legs and arms in full stride). If you want a slight motion blur in the background but the runner is sharp, go for 1/250–1/500 sec and pan with the runner.
Aperture: On a bright day, f/4–f/8 is a sweet spot — sharp subject, enough depth of field so minor focus errors won’t ruin the shot.
ISO Keep ISO as low as possible (ISO 100–200) in full sun to avoid blown highlights.
Drive Mode Switch to continuous/burst shooting — 5–10 frames per second will give you a choice of the best stride, facial expression, or wave.
Dealing with Harsh Light & Shadows If possible, and most likely it will not be, shoot with the sun behind you so the runner’s face is lit.
Focusing on a Fast-Moving Subject Use Continuous AF (AI-Servo on Canon / AF-C on Nikon/Sony) so the camera keeps adjusting focus as the runner moves toward you.
AF Points: Use a small group of focus points or the center point for maximum speed and accuracy.
Creative Action Shots in Bright Sun: Low Angle: Kneel or sit on the curb for a more dramatic stride and sky background.
We all still laugh about how and why my family began to run, with my wife, of all people, lacing up her new sneakers and heading out the door one morning. No one saw it coming, but all of us became runners. I ran a marathon, my youngest son competed in USATF Junior Olympics and made it all the way to Nationals and my wife, well she is still running!
And all along our running route, someone was there to capture our journey!
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