I did S's maternity photos a few months ago, and now her bundle of joy arrived.
I got to take a nice trip out into the country for this shoot.  I loved the break.
I have to say that the sky here just seems so infinite. I love being out on the prairies and looking out forever.

Before today, I did not know a whole lot about this race and what its purpose is.  I certainly received a first-hand education as the day progressed.  (just in case you are wondering, it has been going on for 30 years now, and the money raised goes to the neo-natal intensive care unit at the hospital.)This morning was absolutely chilly for the 9th of May.  I was downtown at about 7:30 am to capture the setting up before the race began. I am not sure what time the volunteers came out, but they were already in full force by the time I arrived.

As I was going around getting shots of the  set-up, it began to drizzle, and then to rain, and finally it snowed just a little.  Thank goodness I went and bought camera covers yesterday.


I used two camera bodies so that I did not have to worry about changing lenses.  This was terrific because I got some wide angle shots as well as close-ups.

Near the beginning of the race I climbed to the top of some scaffolding where the timing officials and the announcers were watching the finish line.  I was so glad to have my official photographer pass, I got to go anywhere and get shots of anything I wanted (pretty cool).

Racers started coming in just before the 20 minute mark.  That's pretty impressive for a 5k race.  I have to say that a few times during the race I was wishing that I was down there running because I know how exciting it can be as well as how rewarding it is to finish.  Although I didnt run today, I feel as exhausted as if I had. (How can this be?)

There were some really great teams out there running together, and you could definitely tell that they had a story and a real reason to be out here running and braving the cold.  They were not just racing for fun.

I am sure that if the weather had been more pleasant, there would have been a lot more people who stuck around for the awards ceremony as well as all the vendors set up around Olympic plaza.
It looked like almost everything was donated, so there were free massages, and even face painters, clowns and charicature artists. I always wanted to get one of those charicature drawings done, and today I did. My assessment, it was cute, but I dont see a ton of resemblance to me.

I have to say thanks to Mark Laurie of Inner Spirit Photography for giving me the chance to work with him on this project today.
Regardless of the weather, it was terrific.