Podkrkonošský Marathon 2026
This popular race is quite personal to me because it takes place here in Lázně Bělohrad, where I live. I have taken part in it several times, I like the course and I really enjoy it. I was also part of this year’s twentieth anniversary edition, but this time with a camera, or rather two cameras, in my hands.
It was quite a change for me and I have to admit that sometimes I really wanted to be on the bike. But I enjoyed photographing the race and had a great time. Although I mainly photograph nature, I also work in other genres. However, I publish these photographs only rarely on my profile and website.
After an agreement with the organizers, I photographed the riders on the 90 km course. I started at the turn near the fire station, then photographed them passing by Pecka Castle, followed them to the climb up to the top of Zvičina, and finally photographed the finishes in the chateau park, as well as the winners’ ceremony and the award presentation.
To cover both nearby and more distant action, I used two camera setups: the Canon EOS R5 Mark II with the Canon RF 100–300mm F2.8 and the Canon EOS R6 Mark II with the Canon RF 24–105mm F4.
The first lens I mentioned, the Canon RF 100–300mm F2.8, has been one of my favourite lenses for a long time. I have used it in many places and for photographing many different subjects, including lions in Botswana and bears in Finland. I would say it is one of the best lenses Canon offers.
Photographing the race itself was great fun. It was dynamic, I had to stay alert all the time, and every burst of photographs was taken within just a few moments. At the same time, it was interesting for me to watch the race from a different perspective than in previous years.
I noticed the differences between the individual riders, their riding styles and the expressions on their faces. Some of them passed through the places where I was photographing completely focused, while others were able to enjoy the atmosphere of the race and sometimes looked directly into the lens or even waved.
During the day, I took approximately 9,000 photographs. That is not unusual at an event like this. Some situations happen in very quick succession and when photographing movement, it is necessary to take several photographs to capture the right moment. The number of photographs taken is not the most important thing, however. The important thing is selecting the best ones.
Photographing the finishes, the winners’ ceremony and the award presentation was not as fast-paced as the race itself. After spending the whole day in the sun, though, I was feeling tired as well.
During the day, I took approximately 9,000 photographs. That is not unusual at an event like this. Some situations happen in very quick succession and when photographing movement, it is necessary to take several photographs to capture the right moment. The number of photographs taken is not the most important thing, however. The important thing is selecting the best ones.
Taking the photographs is quite fun. What many people do not realize, though, is that a second shift begins afterwards – processing the photographs. Just like with weddings or other types of action photography, the photographs have to be downloaded, reviewed and sorted. In the end, I delivered a little over 3,000 photographs in print-ready quality.
This time, the Podkrkonošský Marathon (www.podkrkonosskymaraton.cz) was not only a race I took part in. I experienced it from a completely different perspective and was able to capture an atmosphere that I had previously experienced mainly from the saddle of my bike.
It always reminds me that photography has many different forms. Photographing a mountain bike race is fast-paced and intense, and it requires a slightly different way of thinking than working in the landscape or with animals. At the same time, it offers many interesting moments and emotions.
I sometimes ride the course, either the whole route or just my favourite sections. I still do not know how I will take part next year – as a rider or as a photographer.
And although I was not standing at the starting line as a competitor this time, I still felt that I was part of the race once again. Just with slightly different equipment and from the other side of the lens.
