A marathoner + photographer
There’s a bit of magic that occurs when two passions collide. As a runner and photographer, capturing images at the end of a marathon is something near and dear. A runner of 30 years with four marathons in my back pocket, the emotion that represents itself at a finish line is known too well.
As runners, we usually don’t get to experience a day full of 20,000+ people crossing the finish line. We cross the finish line with a handful of others, get our medal and snacks, and make our way to our next destination, while thinking about what we just accomplished. Honestly, that in itself is almost too much to take to keep our own emotions in check. If you’re lucky, you’ve gained a friend or two along the course, and we all know that’s a bond you’ll never forget.
As a photographer of a marathon finish line, I have a front row seat to lives changing, goals achieved, faces of utter disbelief, grown men crying, strangers embracing one another, kissing, falling, bodies seizing up, runners helping runners, volunteers helping runners in more ways that you can ever imagine. The interlocking of eye contact from a runner in need to a volunteer would astound you. Moments like all of these happen every few seconds. Can you imagine? The amount of humanity in the square foot of a finish line is completely off the charts.
But you see, these images are just the very tip of the iceberg. Wait until you read the stories behind them.
This was my third time photographing a finish line. This past year, we began to locate runners via their bib numbers from Philly in 2015, and Boston in 2016 with the power of social media. We decided to reach out and ask if they’d like to tell their story to go along with their photo. As a runner, I realize that you can’t have a journey to a marathon without it changing your life.
I’ve been a graphic designer and runner for thirty years, and photographer for fifteen. Last year I started the SidePorch. I created it as a little haven of inspiration for the running connoisseur, and outlet for myself. Of course, we welcome you to take a jog around the site at your own pace.
I suppose this is what happens when you combine both passions. Eventually everything connects.
Susan Sidoriak ~ Paris Marathon 2016