I’ve always wondered what being on the other side of the race course is like. As an athlete competing in endurance races, I would get giddy whenever I heard the shutter clicking as I ran.

Stumbling upon a sports photographer on the race course gives me enough boost whenever my legs are tired from running. I always imagine what my photos would look like after it gets published.

Would I look exhausted? Is it going to be an epic action shot? The possibilities are endless.

I haven’t covered sports and events in a while, since I’ve been a product photographer for over half a decade. I try to shoot during community workouts at Bridgetowne Obstacle Park, ensuring my skills don’t get rusty.

After my Elite race at Spartan Stadion, I applied to be a photographer for Spartan Race Philippines. I’ve been wanting to satiate my curiosity on what is it like to become a race photographer. A month later, I got accepted and I didn’t realize my life would turn around after that opportunity.

Going back to my first love

When I got accepted by Spartan Race Philippines’ media team, I felt puzzled that everyone was using Canon for their gear and equipment. This prompted me to reach out to Canon Philippines, having them lend me the Canon EOS R8 along with a telephoto lens (RF 70-200mm) and a wide lens (RF 15-30mm).

I’ve been using a mirrorless Sony camera for almost a decade, but my first love was a Canon DSLR. It helped me ace my photography class back in my uni days and paved the road for my current career.

Going back to Canon coincided with the desire to go back to my roots. I’ve been yearning to cover sports and events, and I finally got the opportunity to do it again.

My familiarity with Canon helped in navigating the camera. It’s like going back to an ex-lover where too much time has passed and you just got a chance to see each other again. But this time, you’re both better.

Alexa, play “Maybe This Time” by Michael Murphy.

Time to gear up

My first assignment was the biggest Spartan Trail event for the year. Dubbed the Trailfecta Weekend, Spartan Race Philippines hosted three races in one weekend: 50 km, 21 km, and 10 km.

The event was mounted in the mountains of Bacnotan, La Union — a 30-minute drive from the San Juan, La Union which is also known as the Surfing Capital of the North.

During our orientation, we were briefed that celebrities and high-profile individuals would also grace and partake in the competition.

To make sure I wouldn’t miss out on any shots, I brought out two more SD cards and four more battery packs. I was nervous yet excited at the same time to be part of the race I used to compete in.

Under the hellish heat

On the first day, I was deployed at the 42nd mark of the 50-kilometer trail. I was the last photographer before the participants reached the finish line.

The media team used a buddy system but I insisted on moving further to find an enthralling background for the subjects I’ll be taking photographs with.

I ended up sitting at the 43rd-kilometer mark. Nevertheless, I found a good spot. I was sitting in a corner side of a paved road, snuggled under an umbrella while braving the hellish heat. I brought the Canon EOS R8 and the RF 70-200mm to capture every racer from a distance.

My goal at that time was to make sure I took the best shot of every athlete passing through me. Being situated at the near-end part of the race course meant athletes wouldn’t be crowded and I’d get a single shot of everyone.

Thankfully, it turned out excellent even if I was burnt from the scorching heat of the sun. Here are some of the best photos.

Elizabeth Dangadang

Andy Borras

Roy Dela Fuente

Aries Atienza

Keziah Loreto

Simon Adriano

In slopes

After the 50-kilometer race, we went back to our hostel to rest, recover, and prepare ourselves for the second day. The 21-kilometer and 10-kilometer races were more grueling than the 50-kilometer due to the sheer volume of racers attending.

An estimated 300 racers attempted the 21-kilometer race while around 600 racers ran through the 10-kilometer trail.

I was deployed early in the morning for the 21-kilometer race. My co-photographer Rox and I rode and stood at a pick-up truck, anxiously wanting to find a spot early.

One of the Philippines’ best trail runners was competing and we knew right away he’d be the first person to cross the finish line.

Deployed at the 10th-kilometer mark, we still went down on a slope to find a good spot. Our exploration at around the 9-kilometer mark was halted when we saw Randolf Gonzales, Merrell’s Ambassador, and the country’s elite trail runner, running easily on an uphill. Behind him were athletes from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

We had no choice but to stop and position ourselves as the athletes passed through us. Right then and there, we decided to station on the slope since the racers were coming.

Here are some of the photos I took on the half-marathon race.

Randolf Gonzales

Melissa Campos

Imman Villapando

Rufino Herrera

Jara Pallana

Ceddrick Moreno

Joj Agpangan

Up to shoot for more

The cut-off time for the half-marathon was too early, based on my experience. At 8 in the morning, we were asked to come back to the aid station. Seeing that it was still early in the day, we asked to be deployed for the 10-kilometer race.

We arrived at the last aid station around the 9-kilometer mark. Around twenty minutes later, the podium contenders for the 10-kilometer race were running on the trail we were stationed on.

I was positioned in the bush to sneakily take their photos. Some were surprised after passing through me. In this race, I felt being toasted by the sun. I was wearing my Straw Hat from Netflix’s One Piece, but it wasn’t enough to cool my head while on the trail.

Nevertheless, here are some of the photos from the 10-kilometer race.

Fjay Awa

Wellington “Beef” Co

Christian Tiu

Tinoy Borromeo

Jaco Benin

At the Workout Tour

Two weeks later after the race in Bacnotan, La Union, I also got an assignment to shoot for the second leg of the Spartan Workout Tour. It happened in Arca South in Taguig City, after the Spartan Kids race in the morning.

Though it was only a half-day event, the weather was erratic and bizarre, I almost feared for my gear. It was insanely, scorching hot, and then a heavy downpour came in during the start of the program. After half an hour, it stopped raining and it was insanely hot again. I had to use an umbrella to cover the Canon EOS R8 and the RF 15-30mm from the weather.

I forgot to use the telephoto lens since I used the RF 15-30mm to take photos of the Next-Gen Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4×4 at Poro Point in La Union, prior to the race. Luckily, the race course inside Arca South was cramped, and opting for the wide lens was more appropriate for the setting.

I stationed myself in the obstacles that would be best captured wide: Beater, Monkey Bars, Multi-Rig, and Rope Climb.

The Spartan Workout Tour photos I took are as follows:

Welcome back, my first love

Being a race photographer brought me back to my roots. I remember how I loved being the one behind the cameras, directing people on what to do and making them comfortable as I took their photos. I enjoyed the thrill of capturing an athlete’s performance in fleeting moments. The rapid anticipation of my heart racing from nervousness if I can even do a good job.

I’d say I did fine, seeing how I’m still part of Spartan Race Philippines’ official photographers team. Having the Canon EOS R8 allowed me to unleash my potential as a sports photographer.

It can shoot with a swift burst rate so I don’t miss any moments on the race course. It’s also responsive whenever I need to switch modes to find the more appropriate setting while shooting.

It certainly kept up with me at all times, regardless of the shooting conditions. It’s just versatile enough to bring along on the race course.

I’m still mulling over completely switching to the other side, both on the race course and using Canon as my main camera. I still enjoy being an athlete and competing in the Spartan Race, and jumping over from Sony to Canon is a big leap. But who knows? Maybe, just maybe, we find ourselves coming back to the brand we first loved.

For now, I’m just elated to be with fellow race photographers. It’s a pivotal experience that I’m going to treasure for the rest of my life.

SEE ALSO: Disconnecting in Taiwan with the Canon EOS R8