Adventurers of The Eventurers Number 8

 Adventurers of The Eventurers Number 8

Warburton Trail Festival 2021

The Warburton Trail Run Festival is a three day celebration of all things trail and mountain lifestyle from Saturday, 6 March to Monday, 8 March 2021.

The festival features a range of trail runs from 4.5km through to 50km and includes a feature film screening, a trail seminar, live music and the Lilo Dash 'n Derby, where trail running meets water-sports.

The event is in the Warburton Valley, only an hour and a half from Melbourne's CBD, and is centred on the quaint valley township of Warburton with all its quality cafes and accommodation making it the perfect long running weekend getaway for all the family.

Organiser

Tour de Trails

This Event is Fun and we test all of our skills new and old at this event/s. Our logistics is tested and after last years event we decided early for our accomodation was to be very close to the action. So we booked the Warburton Lodge, found right in the middle of Warburton, 6 weeks in advance. 

We arrived 1 day before the event to recheck our plan. We had decided that we would attempt to get every runners, to the best of our ability. This meant, Saturday, 50km lumberjack, 25km Redwood run and the 4.5km run. Velta to photograph the runners through the Redwood forest being there well ahead of the runners and get a lift back to the finish line. Ian to photograph the 50km Start, River crossing at High Lead. Make his way back to the finish line to get all the 4.5 and 25km finish line and the 50km finishers. 

Experience also tells us that water and shade were needed at the finish line. Ian always enjoys hanging out with the MC's Pete and Nathan and enjoying the tunes. (bonus) He also like capturing all the runners with the highs and lows of trail running being captured. (Spare Battery and Card at the ready) 

Velta had fun at the Redwood forest and was challenged by the lack of light but struggled on and still captured great shots. The other photographer at the Redwood Forest was KRYSTLE WRIGHT. We had the opportunity to listen to her story so far which we found in some ways aligned to our journey but without the Antarctica adventures and National Geographic and Base jumping, so similar!!!

Velta returned to the finish line with assistance from the Cello player (who played in the Redwood Forest) and we discussed between runners coming in our day so far. Many photos were taken capturing all the emotion/s of the peoples success on the day. Ian's bright orange hat with the Pink vest blended in with all the colorful garments worn at these events.

Part of the plan was to capture runners crossing the final river crossing. Ian was ready to go and proceeded to the crossing. Waist deep into the water he went to take photos from over the log placed by nature enhanced by Warburton Adventure Company.

Half way through the allocated 2 hours Ian was going to be there, "CARD FULL". yep spare in the car!!! off to the car, no spare card, it was at the finish line. Spare camera was there, thank goodness, wide angle lens attached. Ian took that and got even better photos, fortune favors the lucky...2 Hours passed and as agreed Ian headed back to the finish line. Pizza from the Food van/s was consumed between runners and water consumed. Once again a great vibe was felt at the finish line a great group of people. We are so glad we know them all. Day was done.

Plan for the next day was mulling over in our heads. Sitting outside our room, we decided that we should attempt to get all the runners on the Sunday. Including the two 4.5km runs, the Double Donna 22km and the 14km Sawmill Grove Run. How to make it happen?

Ian drop Velta up on the aqua duct trail, make her way along the trail and rove to the location the Double Donna come down the mountain across the aqua duct trail.

Ian proceed to the Little Redwood Grove and capture all the 4.5km runners. Ian The rush back to capture the finish line for all events.

Back with the MC's and finish line crew and tunes (happy place). Velta to make her way back to the finish line before 230pm.

Ian serenaded Velta with the INXS song Never tear us apart and finish line photos were taken by the dozen. The Little Redwood grove was perfectly lighted and great photos also taken. At 2.30pm the Event Known as the Three Thong Thang was taking place on the oval. This is a 800m sprint where the participants are to wear three thongs from start to finish. Included in this sprint is a jump. Velta selected the jump Ian the start and Finish lines. This is a really fun and revealing event where speed is essential. More Fun!

Off to the seminar. LIFE THROUGH THE ADVENTURE LENS

Hailing from the Sunshine Coast, QLD, Krystle Wright is an adventure photographer and director whose clientele includes the likes of National Geographic, Red Bull and Patagonia. On Sunday afternoon, she'll be sharing tales from the trail (and mountains and rivers and cliffs and even paragliders) giving insight into what it takes to be regarded as one of the best adventure photographers on the planet, along with revealing the behind the scene stories to some of her most well-known images and a few tips on how to capture the best adventure imagery be that on an iPhone or a pro DSLR. This was very insightful.
A small break, some food and then we prepared for the 8pm - 9km Little Joe’s Terror Night Run START from Cog Café.

That night the weather was good, we set up our flash equipment on stands, measured our spacing, set up fairy lights and the camera. We had some great test models including some ever helpful medics and a group of young people who were with their parents. We set this up on the rail trail for safety and ease of carrying. Went off very well. Finally decided to pack up at 1015pm as it had been a big day. Off to bed! zzzzzz
Monday: 10am* - 3km Lilo Dash ‘n Derby / start from Footy Club after we packed up the car to make a quick exit.
Event rules: Any inflatable that can float YOU will suffice. We suggest sturdy ones that can take a rock bruising, something like a 'surf lilos' or tyre tube. One person per inflatable. Children U/12 require adult supervision. EVERYONE MUST have mandatory HELMET and FOOTWEAR!!
Last year we sat at the finish line and waited. This year we decided to capture the run section and some of the up river antics. Then the finish line. Laughter was abound as was the colour and different craft designs, some good, some anchors.

Finally it was over, many a story to be told. Photos of the overall winners taken and farewells exchanged and we set off for home.

Arrived home 3hours later, greeted by the Cats and Chickens. Unpacked car, cleaned clothes, cameras and charged batteries. Let the Processing begin. This was a big three days and many many many photos taken. We worked until unable on Monday, Ian up at 4am to do some more, Velta up at 6am, we stopped to buy a car at 1pm. A red Subaru, no more UTE. Had been informed that the Razorback time slot had been given a cold weather alert so we purchased some new thermals. Back home and continued on with the photos. We finish them at 12 lunch time on Wednesday, all up (or so we thought) the power went out a few times through the processing process and some did not go on. We were told by helpful competitors that some were missing and this was corrected. GRRR. Any way all done. Teasers put on and the reactions were pleasing.

Lessons learnt: Card and Battery close by (AGAIN). Check up loads twice. New spots on the course were great. Redwood Forest is hard in low light. Having Accommodation close is a great idea.
Best bits: The whole event is a great occasion, great people, vibe, supporters, volunteers and participants. So much Fun. Our Night shots were what we had planned for. :)
Already planning for next year. Thank you to all the photo purchasers! It is what drives us to get great memories for you.

Adventure 5/21 Kilcunda Coastal Run

 Welcome to an actual Running event. 
First one of 2021

Event 

Running Wild Kilcunda Half Marathon,17 km and 8 KM fun run. 7th Feb 2021

We have been looking forward to this event having had done so many recons, including the visit the day before.

The Day Before

A few changes had taken place. Stay the night before, to save the 3 hour drive. We swapped positions, Ian to Beach. Velta on trail. We walked the trail again. Watching for Vistas and Light. Ian to try his zoom lens on the crop camera. 

We volunteered to take the Race Director to the Punchbowl road end of the trail as he needed to mark the course. We decided to check out this end for options. Including taking Photos at the top of the big hill. 

    We walked out and the weather was great, Sun shining and a bit of humidity. As we stood at the top of the Big hill, we decided that if Ian came here after the event started and captured the front runners up to 0800 and then wandered down to the beach and capture runners along the way, could be good. Weather dependent! So it was decided. Early to bed, ready for a big day.

Day of the event.

    Awoke at 0500. We helped set up the start/finish line until 0630. Drove to drop Velta off and Ian proceed to Punchbowl. Velta to take all the 8 km runners and then walk back and capture those who come past. Ian walk in 2.5 km and be in place at 0730 with 10 minutes to spare, check settings and admire the weather. Oh the weather. Rain, Wind, dark, drizzle and sea mist. Perfect!!! plus the swell was up on the sea. We get a chance to try out our new jackets.

At the Hill trying to get great shots (under the current weather conditions) nearly got blown over, but it was working out.

After 30 mins, Ian decided to move towards the beach capturing different shots at unusual places. Made it to the beach and the runners just Congo lined along. Captured heaps of runners under wet, windy and cool conditions. Smiles on most faces. 

Moved to the headland between the two beaches. The tide was coming in and had to time it right, not all runners got this right.. 

No Shelter to be found so made do with the conditions and capturing the watered down runners. Hint for aspiring photographers, Have a spare card and Battery in your pocket. Yep filled a card, luckily I had a card ready. Battery went close to empty and took advantage of a very small window of opportunity to change it. The other small disadvantage of being out on course for a long time is,,,, your bladder gets full. Finding a great spot to get long beach photos is great with almost 300 runners, BUT there is not much time to empty ones bladder...patience......... focus. 

Waiting for the sweep.... 

We as photographers love the runners in full stride or star jumps (a few this time), but seeing the Sweep means that we are free to make our way back to our start point, and visit a toilet.. One of the last runners said that there was only two more runners behind her, thanks. Velta sent a message to Ian as she had finished the 8 km runners and made her way back to the finish line, slowly. 

Ian moved back to capture the last two runners on the trail and got them on the entrance to the beach, really happy people. 

Still no Sweep... moved to a spot to get the Sweep on The Hill.. waited 10 minutes. No Sweep.. moved along past the hill...no Sweep. Hope she is OK... got further down the hill found the Sweep. She had taken the scenic trip upon the return. Happy she was OK. 

Ian made it back to the car and headed back to the finish line. A Tad tired but happy the plan had worked. We helped with the disassembly of the Finish line, Lunch was put on by the Race Director. PLUS it was a chance to celebrate 60th birthday for Duncan. 

Lunch complete. Head home. Had to have a nap on the way.

Home, unpack car, start processing photos, feed the cats and chickens and clean cameras.

Processing. 

This involves downloading all the photos, remove the not so good ones, fixing the good ones and find the best ones for the Momento Photos. This takes time. Two computers running two of us processing. Once this is complete, uploading to GeoSnapShot. Ian had to work the next day so was off to bed by 10 pm. We finished at 0600 on the Tuesday after the Sunday event. We took over 3000 photos on the day but not all those are seen.

Overall the event went well, we are a flexible team of photographers and can adjust as needed. The weather threw us challenge that we accepted. The best way for us to know if it was really good is sales. This is how we measure our craft by the way we capture all the runners in a great scenic location and they show their appreciation.

See the photo results:

https://geosnapshot.com/e/kilcunda-half-marathon-and-16-km-fun-run

The Jackets went very well. Kept out the wind, rain and cold.

We now start to think about the next Event. Hallora Marathon next weekend. 250 plus people in the event. 

See you out there or on here. Ian and Velta

The Eventurers