Focal Flame Photography - Art That Moves You

Running the Distance: 2012 Lake Monona 20K and 5K

robyn — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:01:37 +0000

Can you outrun rain clouds? That was the question on racers’ minds on May 5, 2012, when 851 runners on the 20K course and 164 runners on the 5K course squinted up at overcast skies. But it was a different body of water that greeted them when the race started – the beautiful shores of Lake Monona curving along the lakefront running and bike path.

For runners in the region, the Lake Monona 20K has a long history of being a “runner’s race." It's perfectly situated as a longer distance competition to prepare for the Madison Marathon or the 20 mile Syttende Mai ("Seventeenth of May") Run – part of the traditional Norwegian heritage celebrations involving a run from the steps of the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison to Stoughton, Wisconsin.

Ed Peirick of Fitchburg, WI accomplished a personal record for the Lake Monona 20K route by finishing in 1:38:16 – over 5 minutes faster than his previous time. “Lake Monona 20k has been one of my 'must do' races since 2007,” said Peirick. “Compared to similar distance races, it's unbeatable for cost, course, t-shirt, volunteers, organizers, and post race food & entertainment.”

Steve Morstad of Monroe, WI also logged a PR on the 5K run course. Delighted with his finish line photo by Focal Flame Photography, Morstad wrote, “I really got a kick of your shot. I have so much fun running... but you caught a flash of fierce grit as I pushed for a PR. [It’s a] great shot that I am going to have fun with, with family and friends.”

The event ended with live music by Madison band Mighty Short Bus, and plentiful food and drink from Capital Brewery, Qdoba, and Quaker Steak & Lube.

And – as it turned out – every single participant did outrun the rain, which graciously held off. As for the photography conditions, clouds were perfect. “I love shooting in overcast weather,” said Focal Flame photographer Clint Thayer. “It’s like a natural diffuser – it eliminates hard shadows and really makes the photos pop.”

To follow more stories about sports photography, endurance events, and more, join the Focal Flame facebook page and Twitter feed!

Artistry of Endurance Sports - Clint Thayer Exhibition at National Art Museum of Sport

robyn — Tue, 01 May 2012 05:07:04 +0000

Photos by Clint Thayer Selected for Exhibit on Racing at National Art Museum of Sport

Madison, WI and Indianapolis, IN – April 25, 2012 – The artistry of endurance sports is featured in a series of fine art photographs by Madison, WI photographer and Focal Flame Photography owner Clint Thayer. The photo essay has been selected for exhibition by the National Art Museum of Sport (NAMOS) in Indianapolis, IN. The exhibit, entitled Speed and Motion: Racing to the Finish Line, will run at NAMOS from May 23, 2012 through September, 2012.

“The five images I am showing in this exhibition highlight the artistry of endurance sports, including triathlon, cycling, cyclocross, and swimming,” said Thayer.

“Racing is primal and intense, and I wanted to depict the fear, trepidation, anxiety, tension, and resolution that many endurance athletes experience during a race.”

Thayer is one of seven internationally recognized artists whose work will be displayed. Additional artists include Chris Bucher, Scott Fincher, Sayaka Ganz, Walter Knabe, Thomas Allen Pauly, and Mina Papatheodorou-Valyraki.

Elizabeth Varner, Executive Director of NAMOS, said, “The exhibit features over 30 paintings, sculptures, photographs, and installations from many top sport artists worldwide. Representing a wide range of artistic media, Speed and Motion: Racing to the Finish Line captures the heart-pounding drama of racing [in 9 different sports]… we wanted pieces that would capture the power of racing, because everything about racing is larger than life – the crowds, the chaos, the loudness.”

In describing Thayer’s unique approach and perspective, Varner said, “His work ‘Driving Rain’ was selected for exhibition during a juried 2011 competition [The 2nd Annual International Fine Arts Competition: Commitment to Excellence in Art & Sport]. There was tremendous reaction to ‘Driving Rain’ - just about everyone who saw it stopped in their tracks.”

Varner continued, “I like his photography immensely. I feel he is within the top three sport art photographers I have seen….While Clint Thayer has the technical capacity for conventional sports photographic technique, I think what sets him apart is that his style really crosses the boundary into true sport art. His work is so different; it captures the emotion and intensity of sport. They’re some of the most dynamic images I’ve seen.“

“I think that the power of motion in fine art photography is that it can be a bridge between representational images and abstractions,” said Thayer. “I use motion like I use light: to help frame and sculpt the visual narrative that’s in front of me.”

Ms. Varner was particularly concerned about selecting artistic works capable of showing well in the expansive exhibition space of the museum. “The exhibition space at NAMOS is really best suited to large format art, and while many photographs are acceptable at small to medium format, not all work well at large format,” said Varner. “I knew from his previous showing that the scale of his pieces would really hit the mark, that it would really transform the exhibition space….When you present a photograph in large format, everything has to be absolutely perfect. I knew Thayer’s work could give that larger-than-life sense to viewers.”

Photographer Tom McInvaille, a past special assignment photographer for the United States Olympic Team, said, “Clint Thayer’s sport photography gives a fresh approach to an overly clichéd and highly predictable genre…Clint gives us a glimpse into the larger world of an athletes life. Putting a Minor White admonition into the world of sports journalism: ‘... show us not the object but what the object represents,’ is courageous and reasonably unique. At a time when simple technical proficiency and overly saturated color seem to be the primary aesthetic principles driving today’s imagery, Clint’s sensitivity to narrative and metaphor is a welcome change.”

McInvaille concluded, “I’ve had the pleasure of watching Mr. Thayer’s work evolve into easily accessible yet complex stories. This is an attribute found in only the best of photographs, sport or not.”

Founded in 1959, NAMOS maintains one of the largest collections of fine art depicting sport in the United States. The museum is dedicated to encouraging artists engaged in the genre, and also to collect, preserve, and share the best examples of sport art NAMOS can acquire. “The founder of NAMOS, Germain G. Glidden, was a portrait artist and champion squash player,” said NAMOS Executive Director Elizabeth C. Varner. “Glidden believed that sport art is like the Olympics: it has the power to bring together people from all over the world in peace,” said Varner.

Over 40 sports are represented in the over 900 paintings, sculptures, and photographs at NAMOS. Artists whose works are included in the permanent collection include George Bellows, Ogden Pliessner, Winslow Homer, Ray Ellis, James Fiorentino, Joe Brown, and Alfred Boucher.

The museum’s first home was in Madison Square Garden in New York. It has been in Indianapolis since 1990 and is located at 850 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN. NAMOS is open free to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. For group tours and weekend hours call 317.274.3627 or e-mail ecvarner@iupui.edu; for more information see http://www.namos.iupui.edu. An opening reception for Speed and Motion: Racing to the Finish Line will be held from 5:30-7:30 pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2012.

The series by Clint Thayer is presented as 60” x 40” limited edition giclée archival prints on canvas, and all of the works are available for purchase. The series was sponsored in part by members of the Trek Midwest Team.

A Study of Time and Motion in the West

clint — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 04:23:53 +0000

During a recent trip to Colorado, Focal Flame photographer Clint Thayer created photo essays using time-lapse photography, light painting, and other techniques to help convey the astounding natural beauty of expansive land and starscapes. Here, he shares his thoughts on the experiences, as well as several favorites from the series.

It is no secret that I enjoy creative uses of motion and time in my work to help show the spectacular beauty of the passions and achievements of athletes in full flight. Motion in combination with light can create what I refer to affectionately as a soupy mix of goodness...in fact, the effect is usually so good that it’s hard not to stop in your tracks and wonder a little. (I like creating that stop-in-your-tracks experience so much that I plan on coming out with our own branded Focal Flame brake lights so we can rest easy knowing we are not going to hurt anyone. Safety first!)

During my time in Colorado I thought it might be interesting to take this idea of motion, light, and time but point the lens at the world itself. What better area to study the elements and effects of time then the outcropped, weathered landscape of the Rocky Mountains and the unfettered sky at altitude. Below is a sampling of the full Colorado collection. Feel free to browse all images here and order prints or postcards.

Click image to view, and purchase

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2012 Madison Shamrock Shuffle: Smiles, Shamrocks, and Sunshine

robyn — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 04:22:20 +0000

Folks in the upper Midwest know what to expect in March….but in 2012, known as “the Winter that Wasn’t,” all expectations were turned upside down in the most delightful way imaginable. The longest, earliest warm spell on record in Madison, WI set in during the first and second week of March and was punctuated multiple days of record-high temperatures. Kids frolicked in short sleeves, runners rejoiced at trading their treadmill workouts for fresh air, and the organizers of the Madison Shamrock Shuffle thanked their lucky stars.

And then the registration numbers for the Shamrock Shuffle began to climb along with the thermometer.

It passed 2,000 runners…then passed 3,000….and when it exceeded 3,500 in online registration alone, a tough decision had to be made. “With the sudden surge in the last days of online registration, we had to…shut down registration so we could keep everyone well taken care of with the amount of supplies in hand,” said Julia Voss, Shamrock Shuffle Organizer and Board Member. To add to the complexity, road construction on the racecourse necessitated re-routing just three days before the event.

But with sunshine and the serendipity of the Shamrock Shuffle falling on St. Patrick’s Day itself, the good vibes were unstoppable. While the Shuffle began in 2004 as a somber memorial to a runner named Jim Beyer who had been killed by a drug-impaired driver, the vibrancy and the sheer size of the 2012 event served as a fitting legacy.

Not to mention the legacy that the Madison Shamrock Shuffle has given to the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, which benefits from the proceeds. Over the years the event has become one of the biggest annual fundraisers for the nonprofit, which offers a range of activities and programs for economically disadvantaged youth. “We feel our participants show up to run for the cause and they feel good afterwards, knowing their donation and hard work was for the benefit of The Boys & Girls Club of Dane County,” said Voss.

Race Director Steve Donovan had confidence that all would go well, but also knew it would be a challenge to meet the needs of so many participants. What he witnessed at the beginning of the race amazed him. Recounting the logistics involved in ensuring that participants in the 10k run were safely separated from those in the 5k run and the 2-mile walk, he said,

“Never did I see such an amazing display of solidarity as I did when I went to the 10K corral. I heard [the announcer] Marc Lovicott say over and over again that ‘the human gate will separate the 10K run from the 5K run,’ I went to check on what exactly the volunteers were doing. I noticed Dave, the head volunteer….forming all the start line volunteers in a row to help partition the two corrals. This long, street-wide human fence adorned in forest green shirts stood together. They helped organize the runners one by one, asking them, "Are you 10K? 10K up here." One by one, they got most of the 10K runners up the front. As the 10K runners took off, the gap left behind revealed only Dave and 16 college-aged kids standing in a line, holding back 2,500 other participants. As they were completely gone, they walked forward and led all these people to the start line.

To witness this amazing achievement in our volunteers as as team, I was quite floored. And this moment was only one of the amazing displays of camaraderie that helped us produce the best results possible: The best, most fun race for the participants. Simply amazing day.”

Many racers agreed that the event was remarkable. When asked to name most memorable moments, Michele Peterson said, “The cheering crowd along State Street as I ran to the finish of my very first race and finding a group of family & friends waiting for me there. What a rush!” Sarah Torgerson said, “I would have to say that the State Street crowd was awesome. And the bagpipers.” The infectious enthusiasm of youth participants with the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County brought huge grins for Brenda Bond, who said, “I loved giving the kids high-fives! They were awesome!!” And from an event organizer perspective, Ryan Greissmeyer of Race Day Events said, “The race director and his team did a great job adjusting to the growth of the event as well as rolling with the punches when it came to road construction. A job well done and something most people don’t even notice.”

With thousands of happy participants and tens of thousands of dollars raised for the Boys & Girls Club, time will tell what the future holds for what has become a tremendously inspiring, and very green, Madison tradition.

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Guided Tour to the New Focal Flame Web Site

robyn — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 22:36:37 +0000

Sometime when you're in the thick of things, it's hard to slow down enough to capture it all. And ever since we founded Focal Flame Photography, being "in the thick of things" has definitely been one of the best aspects of what we do. But after over two years, it was clear: the time had come to update our web site. This was more easily done during the winter season, when the pace of any outdoor pavement-related endurance sports scene slows in the upper MIdwest (although there was plenty of off-road fun to be had, to be sure.) Because, really, hibernating is overrated.

So after many sessions of coffee-fueled writing and coding, we present (drum roll, please) the new and improved Focal Flame web site. For a behind-the-scenes look, here's the guided tour.

Home

The home page has been completely redesigned. Our goal was to present a full-screen slideshow of images with a clean, minimalistic design that kept the viewer's focus on the photographic composition. The navigation bar is subtly placed at the lower right-hand portion of the screen, and social media buttons allow one-click sharing. The photo changes every 10 seconds. Now, try this: resize your browser window by dragging. The home page automatically resizes to fit the new dimensions. How sweet is that?! (OK, we're geeks...but you have to admit, it's pretty cool.) In a nutshell, the home page looks really simple by design, but it's kind of like a sports car: under a sleek hood, there's a lot of power. We've tested it on every browser we can think of and so far it has been bullet-proof and dishwasher-safe, but if you notice any issues please let us know. It's also mobile-friendly for viewing on smartphones and iPads.

Custom Photography

Next, check out the Custom Photography page. We've added some description that helps address many of the most common questions we hear about custom sports photography, and there are links to other pages that describe the process for starting a custom photography project and how you can arrange a session for your sports team or club. We've also added a page about other types of photography services we offer, such as career portraits, family and birthday party photography, weddings, and real estate photography. But the feature that we're most honored to include is the set of testimonials from past clients. Each one represents a custom photography project that was borne out of their determination and dedication as an athlete, and it's hard to express just how meaningful it has been to play a part in recording their journey.

Event & Race

From there, take a look at the Event & Race page. We describe a little bit about our approach to sporting events, because we know that competition day isn't just any day - it's the day that you've been working towards, sometimes for months or even years. You can also see an at-a-glance overview of events that Focal Flame Photography will be covering in the near future. Check back often, because we are adding new events all the time. There are also special pages just for Race Directors/Event Organizers and helpful tips for anyone needing assistance with finding their images and purchasing photo products. The Event Status page provides up-to-the-minute updates on photo availability for events that we've covered.

We'll just take a brief pause in the guided tour to point out that the new site is extremely social. Every page can be shared with your contacts via Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or via e-mail with a single click. So go ahead - chat it up.

Commercial Photography

Next, let's take a look at the Commercial Photography page. We admit it - we love visual storytelling, and businesses and organizations are just bristling with both energy and photo opportunities. For several case studies, take a look at the links on the right-hand side of the page.

Fine Art Photography

The Fine Art page is our creative playground. We believe that art is essential, and that fine art photography really does have the power to change the world. In addition to an Artist's Statement by Focal Flame Photography founder Clint Thayer, there are links to descriptions of exhibits and projects on the right-hand side of the page. We have several creative projects in the works at any given time, so check back for updates.

Portfolio, About Us, and Store

The Portfolio page provides several galleries featuring sample images in a range of subjects, and once again, content will be updated periodically. The About page tells a little of our own journey, and also provides a link at the right-hand side to some of our Photolanthropy efforts. (Not familiar with the term "photolanthropy"? Visit the page to learn more.) The Store is, of course, your one-stop shop for dozens of galleries from events we've covered, and the Blog is...well....if you're reading this, you're already familiar with it!

So there you have it. We've tried to illustrate the range of photography services we offer, and the types of creative projects we undertake. Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear them. Just drop us a line.

And as always, thanks for your support. Your passion, dedication, and determination is what inspires everything we do. Let's get ready for a terrific 2012! On your mark, get set.....GO!

To follow these and other stories, join the Focal Flame Photography facebook page and follow us on Twitter!

2012 USA Cycling Cyclo-Cross Nationals: Mud, Sweat, and Cheers

robyn — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:05:32 +0000

Focal Flame Photography was honored to cover the 2012 USA Cycling Cyclo-Cross National Championship races held near Madison, Wisconsin. Over 1,000 racers and 5,000 fans rained down on Badger Prairie Park, where they were met with sunlit skies, unseasonably warm January temperatures, and a sea of muddy goodness on the course. To view and purchase photos from the event, click here.

Focal Flame Photography writer Robyn Perrin reported on the Collegiate and U23 Women's races while Focal Flame photographer was on assignment for the Madison Area Sports Commissions. A version of this article appeared on the Cyclocross Magazine web site.

VERONA, WI - JANUARY 7, 2012 - - Sun and mud were both abundant for the D1 and D2 Collegiate Women’s race at the 2012 USA Cyclo-Cross National Championships in Madison, Wisconsin. D1 and D2 women were on the field simultaneously for the 4-lap race – the D2 field starting 1 minute behind the Division 1 women.

When asked for predictions prior to the start of the race, USA Cycling Collegiate & High School Cycling Manager Jeffrey Hansen said, “Coryn Rivera and Katie Antonneau are the surefire bets for somewhere on the podium.” Hansen’s words proved prophetic as two of the most highly decorated women’s cyclists in the world – who happen to be best friends, roommates, and teammates – duked it out in the Division 1 Collegiate race.

“I got the hole shot and I was in the lead for about three quarters of the lap, then I took a nice digger on a corner,” said Coryn Rivera (Marian University/Tustin, CA). “Katie [Antonneau} took the lead - which is fine, because she’s my teammate. As long as Marian [University] was up there, I was OK with a teammate passing me,” said Rivera.

Both Rivera and Kaitlin Antonneau (Marian University/Racine, WI) were careful to maintain control without depleting their energy reserves entirely, since both are racing in the Elite/U23 race on Sunday, January 8. “I think I pulled Katie as close as 10-15 seconds away,” said Rivera. The final gap was 23 seconds as Antonneau remained comfortably in control, giving an understated one-handed wave at the finish as she claimed the national title.

“I like the course a lot. It’s tough,” said Antonneau. “I think racing today helped because it got a lot of nerves out of the way for tomorrow… I pushed it hard through some parts just to see where I could risk it, but it was good,” said Antonneau, who relentlessly powered it to the finish line in 42:47 at a pace of 19.07 kph.

While the D1 race played out with few surprises from some of the most decorated women’s cyclists in the world, the D2 race winner was a bit of a dark horse. Before the race, Hansen mentioned Rebecca Gross (University of Denver/Lakewood, CO) and Kimberly Flynn (University of Tennessee-Chattanooga/Hixson, TN) as top picks. Hanson also said, “Mars Hills College is a team to watch.”

One to watch, indeed. South African Mariske Strauss, a top-level mountain biker and recently recruited to Mars Hill College can now add a cyclocross National Champion title to her credentials – from her first-ever cyclocross race. Laughing and flush with excitement, Strauss said, “This was actually my first cyclocross event ever, so I just decided to take it as it comes and go as hard as I can for as long as I can…I just went out and had some fun racing for my Mars Hill College cycling team.”

Strauss scorched the course in 47:22, finishing 13 seconds ahead of second-place Rebecca Gross. Kimberly Flynn rounded out the podium to finish 3^rd in 48:55.

Strauss is the current South African cross country mountain bike champion, and placed 18^th at the 2011 the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. She is a hopeful for the 2012 Olympic cycling team for South Africa.

When asked for reflections about the USA Cycling Cyclo-Cross Nationals course, Lindsay Knight (University of Chicago/Chicago, IL) said, “Really muddy, and really slick. I actually wish it had been more technical, more turns, more trees, more tight stuff.” Others found it more to their liking, including Brittany Clawson (Fort Lewis College/Sandpoint, ID). “I’m more of an mountain biker and downhiller, and I love the mud, I love the mucky-muck. This was awesome,” said Clawson.

Many of the racers faced off once again in the Elite/U23 race at noon the next day. It proved to be another powerful battle, with Katie Compton - a force of nature in the cyclocross world - taking her 8th straight National title. In second place overall was none other than her starring pupil: Katie Antonneau, who has been coached by Compton. Teacher and student took first and second place on the podium in an inspiring display of hard work and discipline.

To follow these and other stories, join the Focal Flame Photography facebook page and follow us on Twitter!

Saris Gala: Low-Key Fundraiser Raises Thousands for Cycling in Wisconsin

robyn — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:35:45 +0000

The Saris Gala has become known not only within the state of Wisconsin but throughout the bicycling industry nationwide as the single biggest one-day fundraiser for bicycling and bike transportation community advocacy, having raised over a quarter of a million dollars to help build bike paths, provide bicycles to low-income youth, teach cyclists how to ride safely on mixed-use streets, and initiate other bicycling-related transportation projects. On the eve of the 2011 Saris Gala Focal Flame Photography writer Robyn M. Perrin took a look back at the 2010 event. Amanda White, Associate Director of the Bicycle Federation with Wisconsin, shared the story of how the Gala came to be. Highlights from 2010 included remarks by the celebrity guest Phil Liggett, the internationally renowned cycling commentator whose animated voiceovers of the Tour de France and other grand tours have made him known as “The Voice of Cycling”.

When you think of a gala fundraiser, images of cocktail dresses and petite appetizers on serving trays might come to mind. But for the annual Saris Gala, nothing could be farther from the truth.

The Saris Gala, you see, is held in a warehouse. The Saris Cycling Group warehouse, to be specific, which is adjacent to the plant in which bicycle racks and storage systems, trainers, and power meters are manufactured. Owned by Chris and Sara Fortune (the company name was chosen as a blending of their own first names), Saris Cycling Group is passionate about advocating for bicycling and helping to create safe places for people to bike.

“Chris Fortune started the Saris Gala 7 years ago,” said Amanda White, Associate Director of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, during a 2010 interview. Wanting to do something unique to support bicycling in Wisconsin, Fortune held a party in the Saris facilities. The first Gala was a low-key affair with pizza and beer shared by bicycling enthusiasts in the city. Since then, it has grown tremendously. “Chris has been very, very dedicated to supporting bicycling through the Saris Gala,” said White. “He not only opens the company headquarters to the party, but also dedicates quite a lot of his staff to the planning of the event. His daughter, Heather, took on a lot of the planning.”

With time and dedication, the Saris Gala has become the biggest single-day bicycling fundraising event in the nation and has hosted cycling celebrities of international stature. Over 650 people attended the 2010 Gala, which raised over $95,000 – including $20,000 that was critically needed for a dollar-for-dollar challenge grant to fund Safe Routes to Schools. Funds were raised not only from the main event – which included a costume party in keeping with the Halloween theme – but also from a silent auction, a live auction, and a VIP dinner hosted by the Fortunes.

The 2010 Gala celebrity guest Phil Liggett shared stories of running into Jonathan “Jock” Boyer on a train headed to the Commonwealth Games. Boyer had begun coaching the first-ever professional cycling team from Rwanda, and Boyer had recruited promising athletes from the streets. Few if any had ever ridden a bicycle before. From this story, Liggett regaled the audience with stories about Lance Armstrong during the Tour de France, the lifestyle of commentators on the road, and anecdotes about celebrity cycling fans from Cameron Diaz to Robin Williams. But Ligget’s passion for the sport of cycling was exemplified not by his tales of interacting with celebrities and professional athletes but by explaining the sport to his elderly neighbor, Peggy. Nearly blind but yet continuing to enjoy playing as an amateur golfer, she confessed that she didn’t understand the intrigue of pro cycling. “I realized that if I could convince Peggy to like cycling, I could convince the world to like cycling…and she ended up watching [and listening to] cycling coverage all the time, right up until the day she died.”

The bicycling community tends to eschew formality and, true to form, attendees were clad in either wild costume or polarfleece. The chill of the October evening was warmed by conversation and much laughter. "It's absolutely one of my favorite events of the year,” said attendee and bicycling fitting expert Craig Watson. “I mean, it's just a party in a warehouse. And at the end of the evening, you walk away realizing that a few hundred people came together and raised tens of thousands of dollars to support cycling in Wisconsin."

Focal Flame Photography is proud to serve as the official event photographer for the 2011 Saris Gala featuring Jim Ochowicz and members from the 1986 7-Eleven Tour de France Cycling Team. Please join us for an incredible evening with the first U.S. team to ever enter the Tour de France. All event photos from the Gala will be available for purchase at focalflamestore.com, with 50% of proceeds going to the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin.

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Youth Athletes Take the Stage at IronKids Madison

robyn — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:54:48 +0000

As the date for the New Balance 3rd Annual Girls on the Run 5K in Dane County approaches, set to run in Waunakee, WI on Saturday Nov. 12, Focal Flame Photography turns our thoughts to another youth athletic event earlier this season: the IronKids triathlon, presented in Madison for the first time in 2011. After profiling young athletes at the race on behalf of the Greater Madison Visitors and Convention Bureau and the Madison Area Sports Commission, Focal Flame Photographer Clint Thayer remarked, "There's just nothing like the energy of young, fired-up kids giving it their all on the race course. It's so much fun seeing them have a blast."

[Writer's note: a version of this article appeared in the Off the Couch blog of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Sept. 10, 2011. - Robyn M. Perrin]

Saturday, Sept. 10 – Middleton, WI - On the eve of the 2011 Ford IronMan Wisconsin for adult triathletes, 318 youth ages 6 to 15 years participated in the first-ever IronKids Madison race.

Triathletes participated in one of three age divisions, with distances ranging from 50 yd swim/2 mi bike/500 yd run for the Juniors up to a 300 yd swim/8 mi bike/2 mi run for the Seniors.

“The majority of IronKids athletes are first-timers,” said Christine Hanlon, Athlete Services and Marketing Coordinator for IronKids at World Triathlon Corporation.

The chutes and transition area were lined with parents and fans, many carrying homemade signs to encourage their athletes. The bike racks in the transition area carried a high proportion of mountain bikes.

Smiles were abundant on both novice and experienced youth triathletes. Many traveled to Madison from Green Bay, Milwaukee, the Twin Cities, areas in Illinois, and even beyond.

Dan Marrello of Riverside, IL cheered on his daughter Chloe Marrello, 12, as she finished her race. “We had [a triathlon] in Riverside a couple of weeks ago, and her bike tires weren’t exactly inflated quite right. As soon as it was over we went back home and she begged me, ‘Dad, look up another race, try to find me another one.’ So this is number two for her.”

Although the IronKids race series has been run since 1985, the World Triathlon Corporation assumed ownership of the series from former owner Sara Lee Corp., and is now offering 24 IronKids races nationwide.

“Many of the athletes participating in IronKids today have parents who are participating in the IronMan tomorrow,” said Hanlon.

Such was the case with Alexandra Lorenz, age 13, of Dundee, IL. Lorenz won the female division for the Senior category and was third across the finish line overall. “My dad’s doing the IronMan tomorrow,” said Lorenz. When asked if she had any thoughts for him, she said, “I just want to wish him good luck, and I’ll be out there to cheer him on all day.”

Although Lorenz attends a small school, a triathlon club in her town helps youth train for events like the IronKids. The boy’s winner of the Senior division, Maxx Hall, is one of Lorenz’s teammates.

The growing popularity of youth triathlon is no surprise to Cindi Bannink, Owner of Madison Multisport, which fielded a Juniors triathlon team for 2011 – the first in the Madison area. “Hunter Kemper, a 3-time Olympian representing the United States, started in IronKids and he’s in his 30s now,” said Bannink. “So [IronKids] has been around for a while, but it’s building momentum.”

One consideration for high school triathletes who also compete on fall team sports is that they are ineligible for races such as IronKids Madison if they occur during the academic year. Bannink said, “Once the fall high school season sports start, athletes are restricted by the high school Athletic Association rules. So they actually can’t participate today if they are on a sport that involves the same thing,” preventing high school swimmers or cross country runners from competing in September triathlons.

But as a group of football players practiced on a field across from the start/finish area, the juxtaposition of classical team sports and endurance sports that are increasingly popular was notable.

“This is just fun, the kids getting out here and being active and doing something different and new,” said Bannink. “Triathlon [is] growing in the U.S., it’s the fastest-growing sport, I believe…this is where it starts. This is the grassroots.”

Focal Flame Photography is honored to share the stories of youth athletes at IronKids Madison and other events througout the Midwest. We've included several of our favorite images from the race. Look for upcoming event photography for the 3rd Annual New Balance Girls on the Run 5K and visit focalflamestore.com to purchase prints, digitals, T-shirts and more!

To follow these and other stories, join the Focal Flame Photography facebook page and follow us on Twitter!

2011 Madison Mud Run Fall Challenge: Overcoming Obstacles

robyn — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:05:23 +0000

On Saturday, October 29, 2011, a bizarre sight unfolded at Festival Park and Badger Prairie Park in Verona, Wisconsin. A slew of runners - about 1,064 runners to be exact - descended upon the park, many dressed in costume. All of the costumes were assembled with care and creativity. All would be splattered with mud, shredded, and and for the most part ruined on the obstacles of the 5-mile course, which included a wall climb, monkey bars, a balance beam, and a giant mud pit.

One costume was worn by Maria Parker of Janesville, WI. Parker had entered the 5-mile obstacle race as a team member along with her office co-workers. While the experience was inspired by a simple desire to have a shared experience that would generate good water cooler conversation for years to come, for Parker, it ended up becoming a metaphor for life. Here, she shares her thoughts with Focal Flame Photography writer Robyn Perrin.

Focal Flame Photography: Why did you decide to participate in the Fall Challenge Mud Run?

Maria Parker: I was looking for a physical challenge to commemorate my 40th birthday. I'd considered a couple of other events but it wasn't until [some] co-workers decided to recruit a company team that I finally committed to the Mud Run. Several friends have run similar events in the past and I always thought it would be fun to participate in a Mud Run so I figured, 'Why not,' especially if I'd have co-workers along side me.

FFP: What was the story behind the costumes chosen by your team?

MP: The organizers of our group decided it would be fun to have a costume theme, but we needed something that would work for 15-20 people. The Wizard of Oz was selected. There are so many characters to pick from that it allowed each of us to find something that matched our personalities. I choose to be Auntie Em.

FFP: How did the race unfold?

MP: I had expected to be completing the event with a couple of co-workers by my side to assist with obstacles but they had all left me behind even before the first one. This turned out to be a really nice, actually - it allowed me to reflective on the event and the reason why I had signed up to begin with: to celebrate my 40th.

In some ways the Mud Run was like the journey of life. At the beginning, I was all gung ho but yet had some apprehension. But when I arrived at the first obstacle, all I could think was, 'What am I getting myself into?!' That thought was followed by, 'You can't back down now, just jump in and plunge ahead!'

Not being as fit as most participants, I knew I'd be walking most of the course and that there would be be obstacles I would have to forego and walk around. So each one became a decision as to whether I should even attempt it. Just like taking risks in life, you weigh each obstacle based on a number of factors, make a decision, and go with it. 'Plan Bs' are optional, often developed on the fly, and your fears may not be realized until mid-stream. But the best part of all was crossing the finish line. I completed the course and crawled through mud, ready to take on whatever came before me.

FFP: So what's next?

MP: What lies before me is another journey. As I turn 40, I'm embarking on a new path. My life partner and I are forming a women's tackle football team based in Rockford, IL. The Rockford Riveters will provide women in Northwestern Illinois the opportunity to play a sport that has traditionally been off-limits to them. As with any business venture, I expect many ups and downs to come along with this path. Some challenges will be easy, some will bring hesitation, some will bring fear - but the goal is to meet them all and to stand strong in the end.

All of these points were brought home while I completed the Mud Run, and all of them were points that we hope to see fulfilled on the gridiron for the women who play for the Rockford Riveters and for the fans in the stands.

Focal Flame Photography is honored to share the stories of Maria Parker and other participants in the Madison Mud Run. We've included several of our favorite images from the race. To see more, visit the 2011 Mud Run Galleries on the Focal Flame Photography online store. All images are available for purchase as prints, digitals, T-shirts, or more.

To follow these and other stories, join the Focal Flame Photography facebook page and follow us on Twitter!

Photograph by Clint Thayer Selected for Exhibition at the National Art Museum of Sport

robyn — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 05:21:04 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WORK BY WISCONSIN ARTIST SELECTED BY THE NATIONAL ART MUSEUM OF SPORT

Madison, WI – October 24, 2011 – A fine art photograph entitled “Driving Rain” (2010) by Madison, WI artist Clint Thayer has been selected for exhibition placement in the 2nd Annual International Fine Arts Competition: Commitment to Excellence in Art & Sport. The juried competition was conducted by the National Art Museum of Sport (NAMOS) in Indianapolis, IN. The exhibit will run at NAMOS from October 27, 2011-February 29, 2012.

Over 300 entries were submitted by artists from 44 states and 9 countries. Thayer is the only artist in the state of Wisconsin whose work was selected.

“Driving Rain” depicts Arrietta Walker Clauss of Madison, WI during the Mid-America Time Trial Series Finale in September 2010. Clauss holds the 2010 and 2011 USA Cycling National Time Trial championship titles for her age division. “To me, ‘Driving Rain’ represents complete and utter determination,” said Thayer. “In seeking to bridge the worlds of art and sport I focus on composition and on finding the emotional element where sport and the human experience overlap, and both were aligned within this image,” said Thayer.

The museum’s first home was in Madison Square Garden in New York. It has been in Indianapolis since 1990, and will present events related to Indianapolis’ hosting of Superbowl XLVI on February 12, 2012.

The National Art Museum of Sport at 850 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN is open free to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. For group tours and weekend hours call 317.274.3627 or e-mail ecvarner@iupui.edu; for more information see http://www.namos.iupui.edu. A free opening reception for the 2nd Annual International Fine Arts Competition will be held from 5-7 pm on Thursday, October 27, 2011.

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