Jody Bailey

On a perfectly cool and cloudy sunday morning, the Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon presented by New Balance delivered some lightning fast times across the board.

Fall marathon season is in full swing by early October, and with cooler temperatures, a lot of runners are out to grab some late season PB’s. Today at the Victoria Marathon is no different. The temperature is about 8C at the start of the race, the sky covered in clouds, and a breeze out on course that will keep runners in ideal conditions throughout the morning.

Get out fast. Stay fast. Finish fast. It’s just that easy.

My goals for the day are simple, get photos of everyone I know. Ha, simple. I know far too many folks out on course today, so I am going to wing it. I want to stick with the lead pack half marathoners to watch those races unfold, then head back out to pick up some full marathoners — shooting as many folks as I can along the way.

I’ve got a bike. I’ve got gels. I’m ready to roll. Let’s do this.

Group photo of Mile 2 Marathon athletes holding their flag before the race.

The Mile2Marathon crew is out in full force at Victoria with nearly 20 runners ready to rip the 8k, half marathon, or full marathon. Such a great group of folks I have the pleasure of training with when out in Vancouver. Hi team!

07:35:34 am on 08.10.2017

Trevor McLean, Erika Barootes, and Shawn Lywood arm in arm in the starting corral posing for the camera.

An awesome Edmonton crew of Trevor MacLean, Erika Barootes, and Shawn Lywood; repping Mile2Marathon, River City Runners, and Altra Running.

07:54:18 am on 08.10.2017

Rob Watson pointing to someone with a goofy wide eyed look on his face.

Rob Watson asks, “you’re going to run fast…yeah?”

07:36:25 am on 08.10.2017

Matt Setlack tucked in amongst other runners at the start line before the race with a goofy smile on his face as he watches someone to the camera's right.

Matt Setlack is smiling right before the race starts, but with a low-60 minute half marathon on his mind, that smile won’t last long.

07:58:07 am on 08.10.2017

Starting line shot complete with banner and a pile of runners leaping off the line just after the horn goes off.

And the 2017 Victoria Marathon is underway. Shit…I gotta scramble to get out of the way before I get trampled. Matt Cecill is right beside me shooting for the race, so I stay out of his way, but it forces me to not quite get the entire start line. One of the very few downsides to rocking prime lenses.

07:59:39 am on 08.10.2017

Blurry runners whiz past The Empress hotel in the background.

The Empress is my first background that I want to capture. I had little time to scout because I was lazy, but I knew I wanted this shot straight away. Now I’m on my horse to catch the fast kids up front in Beacon Hill Park.

08:03:55 am on 08.10.2017

Rob Watson, eyes down, running on the road through a park early in his half marathon.

I catch Robbie Watson heading into the park sitting in 4th place for the half. Geoff Martinson has already opened up a sizable 11 second lead at the 6km mark here. That sets the tone for the guys…Geoff is on it this morning.

08:19:02 am on 08.10.2017

Geoff Martinson runs through a streak of light in full stride through the brown grass of the park with trees in the background.

By the time the guys are exiting Beacon Hill Park after doing a 1.5km loop, Geoff Martinson has made it clear that he is going out fast — daring anyone to try and stick with him. His lead is now 24 seconds over Julian Florez in second place. This could be a huge run for him, or it could end in disaster. Either way, it’s going to be fun to watch unfold.

08:21:25 am on 08.10.2017

Photos from a perfect morning at the Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon in Victoria, BC on October 8, 2017.

Sarah Inglis has gone out extremely fast for the women as well opening up a 45 second lead at the 8km point, but a chase pack consisting of Meg Lewis-Schneider, Lisa Brooking, and Catherine Watkins are sticking together.

08:25:47 am on 08.10.2017

Shawn Lywood runs into the golden sun with some tall brown grass partially obscuring him in the foreground.

I get photos of a number of my other runners at this spot including Shawn Lywood who appears to be on track sticking to a sub-4 minute/km pace which will result in a blistering 2:47:xx full marathon time — which would be a huge PB for him.

08:28:33 am on 08.10.2017

Lissa Zimmer running through an aid station with water dripping from her hands.

Lissa Zimmer ripping through an aid station just before the 10km flag on her way to a great 2:48:32, and first woman across the finish line.

08:34:09 am on 08.10.2017

Gemma Slaughter running along the waters edge.

Unbeknownst to me, Victoria is just a tune up half for Gemma Slaughter. She wants to chat during this photo because we hadn’t seen each other since a 5k time trial on the track in Vancouver, but I am a jerk and tell her to focus on the race. How am I suppose to know. It’s Gemma…even if she was racing, she would still want to chat. She simply can’t turn the nice off. Great seeing you out there Gemma.

08:38:27 am on 08.10.2017

Cool Reid Coolsaet makes his way back along Ross Bay in 3rd place of the half marathon with other runners in the background still heading out along the course.

Hey cool Reid Coolsaet! Just putting the finishing touches on a 67:27 and 3rd overall half, with very little training going in. No. Big. Deal.

08:48:17 am on 08.10.2017

Rob Watson looks out over Ross Bay to his left with runners going the other way in the background.

Rob Watson looking to the water for some relief about 5km out from the finish. Making 3:15/km look easy.

08:48:45 am on 08.10.2017

Alex Dickinson in a black Jacuzzi Boys Athletic Club singlet looks down in comtemplation.

“I see you Jacuzzi Boys!” I yell out as Alex Dickinson rips past in that classic black Jacuzzi Boys Athletic Club singlet. Alex reps the PNW well with a top 20 finish in the half marathon at 1:17:11. Also, that watch. Straight pimpin’ out there buddy!

08:59:14 am on 08.10.2017

Meg Lewis-Schneider confidently in full stride with the ocean in the background.

I give up trying to catch the boys finish the half marathon when I see Meg Lewis-Schneider absolutely destroying that hilly course out there. She is just ahead of Catherine Watkins at this point, but they dropped Lisa Brooking some ways back. I decide to tag along right as Meg is about to make a move in 3…2…1…

09:05:24 am on 08.10.2017

Three runners in focus pull away from another runner closer to the camera and out of focus on a long straight stretch of round during a running race.

Annnnnd Meg is gone. That was the last Catherine saw of Meg as she finished 20 seconds ahead of her. Chatting with Meg afterwards, she said she felt good at that point, so she made a move and ripped the last 4kms of her incredible 1:16:42. A huge PB!

09:07:29 am on 08.10.2017

Close up of Meg Lewis-Schneider in the finish line coral with her medal around her neck and a surprised/excited/thrilled smile.

Needless to say, in the finish line coral, Meg is all smiles. This might be the cutest look I’ve ever captured of a runner post race. Pure elation, surprise, and relief…all wrapped up in a single smile. I’m so excited for you Meg, and proud of the progress you’ve made this year. It has been an absolute blast watching you PB on the regular. That’s another podium for ya!

09:19:15 am on 08.10.2017

Sarah Inglis in full sunlight races to the finish of the Victoria Marathon without another runner in sight winning the women's half marathon.

Sarah Inglis went out fast, stayed fast, and finished fast winning the women’s half marathon in Victoria with an impressive 1:14:20. Congrats Sarah! That was one incredible race to watch.

09:13:18 am on 08.10.2017

Rob Watson leaning on a fence inside the finish coral talking with a woman outside the corral with steam coming off his body.

Mile2Marathon coach Rob Watson ran so hot today that he is steaming in the finish corral after his 1:08:44 and 4th place finish overall in the half marathon. Great seeing you out there ripping coach Robbie!

09:16:59 am on 08.10.2017

Asita in full stride, focused on the finish line, with a host of runners blurred out in the background as they come down the long stretch of road to finish their races.

I am so friggen inspired by this guy, and honoured to share miles and beers with him. I first met Asita Perera at the BMO Vancouver Marathon on course. Classic Asita. Making friends while running a race. For three weeks after that race, I saw Asita probably three times a week…he is that involved in the run community in Vancouver. Needless to say, I am stoked to be catching Asita crossing the finish line for a huge PB half marathon. Congrats buddy!

09:23:09 am on 08.10.2017

A pacer Verner running with his pacing sign in his hand looking at the camera with a couple runners in frame behind him.

More friendly faces stream past as Verner brings his 1:50 half marathon group past me. As soon as I am spotted Verner bee-lines over to me for a high five. I love how small the run community in Canada is, and how many folks I know at seemingly every race I shoot.

09:36:07 am on 08.10.2017

A women gives a thumbs up while running by herself through the sunshine on a long tree lined road with a pack of runners off in the distance behind her.

Sanada Moeko gives me the thumbs up on her way back towards downtown Victoria during her impressive 3:08:23 marathon. She finishes 1st F40-44 and 6th female overall.

10:07:43 am on 08.10.2017

A pacer with sunglasses, a wig, and pacing sign gives a wave as he passes through a ray of sunshine amongst the tree lined road with a group of runners surrounding him all in shadow.

A huge shoutout to all pacers at the Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon. You were all so amazing on course with your groups with support and straight up fun times. I’m not sure a single one of you passed me today without a wave, smile, and pep in your step. Races wouldn’t be the same without you.

10:10:32 am on 08.10.2017

Evan Dunfee smiling as he rounds a corner with a blurred out green tree as a background.

Mr Olympian Evan Dunfee spends a lot of time in my viewfinder today. Perhaps it is the bright green New balance kit, or that massive smile he is flashing all day. Evan is such a treat on course. Chatting with other runners, and engaging with those cheering. As always Evan, a pure pleasure seeing you out there!

10:48:41 am on 08.10.2017

This is my whip today out on course. I hadn’t intended to bike the course today. Instead, just hang out around the finish line. Maybe strap the shoes on and rip around a little bit. But Friday night before the race, a comment on Instagram led to an offer, and then this fast bike showing up. Big shoutout to Dan Clayton and Shannon Kane for going out of their way to hook a “stranger” up. November Project for the motha f’in win! Seriously, these two are the best.

11:14:52 am on 08.10.2017

Allison running with the ocean to her left behind a small row of bushes, waving and looking into the camera with a smile.

The last time I saw Allison, 10kms into here 42.2, she was climbing the menacing looking hill around Ross Bay in front of the 3:40 pace group she wanted to run with. A good sign. With a 16km gap between seeing a runner, I never know how they will react. How their race is going. Whether or not they even want to see me. Still in front of the 3:40 pace group, air under her stride, smiling and waving, it’s fair to say Allison’s race is on track.

10:19:27 am on 08.10.2017

Allison runs up a hill along the water with the bright sun backlighting her.

From the moment I see Allison on pace, I forget all other objectives and simply want to coach Allison across the finish line under her goal of 3 hours and 40 minutes. I switch from photographer to on-course race coach often at races. It has taken me a long time to understand my value in this role, but now I embrace it.

11:12:20 am on 08.10.2017

The real battle starts 30kms into a marathon. I am still zipping around taking photos, but I make sure I get close and give Allison a cheer every few minutes. I know Allison is counting down the kilometres. I see the struggle in her stride. I feel the labour in her breath as I pass. I also know Allison is still only nine minutes behind the 3:30 pace group with 5kms to go. A great sign.

11:14:11 am on 08.10.2017

With 3kms to go, I tell Allison to put it all out there. Leave nothing on the course. Find a shoulder and chase it down. Now is the time to pick up the pace. Less than a kilometre out I run alongside her. Encouraging her to chase down one more runner. Kick now…kick now!

11:24:43 am on 08.10.2017

With the clock still under 3:40:00 in the background on Belville St. in downtown Victoria, relief washes over Allison’s face 3:38:36 after she crosses the timing strip at the start line — an unofficial Boston qualifier. A 10 minute and 13 second PB. Goal crushed is how we describe this moment within the running community.

11:39:03 am on 08.10.2017

This one is special for me too. I’ve been witness to all the work that has gone into this photo. The early morning row sessions. The post-work treadmill workouts. Intervals with @runcollective. The weekend long runs. The half marathon tune-up earlier in the fall. The endless pre-prepared lunches for the week made on Sunday afternoon. The chats with @mile2marathon coach Robbie. All leading to this one moment. This one photo of a smiling runner who just PB’d the snot out of their goal race for the season.

11:40:22 am on 08.10.2017

Allison smiling bent over leaning on her knee debriefing about the race with her parents who are both laughing.

Almost one year ago to the day, Allison ran an amazing race in Toronto with a 21 minute PB, taking another 10 minutes off of that just a year later is incredible. Having her parents there to see her race for the first time makes it that much more sweet. I couldn’t be more proud, or more impressed. Now, it’s time to celebrate. Then relax and soak up Vancouver Island for a week of nature walks and Netflix with the folks.

11:43:41 am on 08.10.2017

Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon

October 21 2017 // Victoria, BC

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