Go Climb Something!!!
No matter where the journey takes you, do not forget your camera and climbing shoes.
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Life On The Move
UTMF Japan
As I write this the UTMF, Ultra Trail Mount Fuji, is still taking place. The UTMF is the second longest trail run in Japan, as far as I know, second only to the Trans Japan Alps which will be held August 2014. The UTMF is 161km or 100 miles long with an elevation gain of 9000m or 29,527ft. Yes, an elevation gain of Mount Everest in total!
I was not able to be at the start of the race, but I was there to capture some of the final moments of the race that to me showed the most emotion. The energy that the top 5 finishers had near the end of the race was unreal! I positioned myself about 5 miles from the finish line with a killer view of Mt Fuji in the backdrop. When I arrived at 0545 the sun was perfect. Super low, golden and creating amazing shadows on everything. I set up my Photoflex Triton flash for an edge and to help fill the rear shadow. As the day and light progressed, I found that a constant adjustment to this setup was needed.
The racers were a little behind the expected race pace so I was not exactly sure when they would happen by. Hara San burst past me first as I was explaining to a runner of the half UTMF where the next official was located. I barely had time to swing around and snap my shutter before he was gone. I was ready now. In position I waited for the next runner to come by. About 5 minutes later the rest of the top five came by in the finishing standings.
The results are Yoshikazu Hara of Japan 1, Julien Chorier of France 2, Sebastien Chaigneau of France 3, Gary Robbins of Canada 4 and Brendan Davies of Australia rounded out the tip five stops.
As I said at the start this event is open for competitors to finish for 46 hours. People are still coming in as I type these words. All I have to say to you guys is Gamba!!!!
