Each year, athlete Darren Fortney leads a group of swimmers in a 6-mile swim traversing Lake Mendota as a fund-raising effort for Gilda’s Club, a cancer support and advocacy organization. As a history buff, he wanted to place the ultra-swim in historical context, so Focal Flame writer Robyn Perrin authored an essay about the "lake swimmers" of Lake Mendota.
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Girls on the Run: One in a Million
In the photography industry, numbers tell a story. For Girls on the Run, numbers tell about a empowerment, and impact, and engagement. They tell of a generation transformed through movement, joy, and conversation. And this year, they mark one million girls served by Girls on the Run International.
Read MoreTaking Care of Business: Mad City Labs
Mad City Labs develops and manufactures exceptionally specialized products to aid scientists looking at exceptionally tiny objects. When they needed product photographs with a big impact, they turned to Focal Flame Photography. Learn more.
Read MoreTake Two: the Wisconsin Du Series
Love the idea of multisport, but not so into swimming? Or perhaps you’re a triathlete seeking a great dry land race? Check out the Wisconsin Du Series, a season-long fling with just two things – biking and running. Read more in a Q&A with race director Paul Eicher.
Read MoreMadison Marathon and myTEAM TRIUMPH: Everyone Wins
The Madison Marathon is for everyone - which is why the relationship between the race and its partner, myTEAM TRIUMPH, is so significant. myTEAM TRIUMPH pairs physically-challenged and able-bodied racers. Learn more about myTEAM TRIUMPH and how the Madison Marathon supports its work.
Read MoreMadison Marathon Profile: Jen Johnson
For 42-year-old Jen Johnson (aka JJ), a breast cancer diagnosis last April was a major hurdle. But after enduring intense treatment that included seven surgeries and 16 rounds of chemo, Jen has beaten cancer and is ready to run this year's Madison Half Marathon.
Read MoreMadison Marathon Profile: Cara Conway
Cara Conway has a clear goal: to run a half marathon before getting married! Armed with lots of determination and accompanied by a few members of her wedding party, Cara will be crossing the finish line of her very first half marathon in Madison, Wisconsin this month.
Read MoreMadison Marathon Profile: Greg B.
For Greg B. (50), the Madison Half Marathon has marked important new chapters in his life. After training for his first Madison Half Marathon as a way to deal with the strain of a marriage that was coming to an end, his journey came full circle in 2014 when he proposed to his girlfriend after running the race.
Read MoreBehind the Lens - Video Production: Preschool of the Arts “We Believe”
Preschool of the Arts needed a video that would help explain exactly what made the school unique, so they turned to Focal Flame for video production. Executive Director Stacy Mitchell said, “Everything I knew in my heart about our school was depicted with beauty, great skill and impeccable quality."
Read MoreMadison Marathon Profile: Katey Collins
First-time Madison Marathon participant Katey Collins will be running in honor of 7-year old Beau, an amazing young man who lives with cerebral palsy. Read about how Katey connected with Beau through the organization IRun4 Michael.
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