The Country Music Marathon was cut short due to inclement weather. Photographing in these conditions is always a challenge, but a rewarding experience since so many runners have compelling stories and reasons to race. I always find it to be inspirational and fun.

The race started early at 6:45 a.m. with over 30,000+ runners making it in the top 10 for marathon races in the US.  Waves of runners, were staggered in their starting times to as far out as 7:30 a.m.  We were fortunate to escape the heavy winds, lightening,  and rain, until slightly after 10:00 a.m. when it finally started. Race officials made the decision to reroute marathon runners who were slower than 10:20 per mile over to the 1/2 marathon due to weather. Race officials also made the determination to shorten the race for the marathon runners to just over 20 miles.

Brian Sell US Olympic qualifier for the marathon Beijing Olympics

If you were one of the unfortunate groups that had to start later, like my son who didn’t get to start until 7:30 a.m. he was one of the ones who was rerouted on the marathon that was cut short. Your heart goes out to all the runners who came from all across the country to race, only to be cut short.

By 12:00 o’clock they were already taking down the finish line and packing up. Another heavy band of rains were coming along with possible hail. It was the right decision to make for the safety of everyone involved.

Many runners were disappointed who have been training for months. My son Blair Jr.,  Lauren and Nicole have been his training partners since January, and Country Music Marathon was to be their first marathon. Blair Jr. was on pace for a sub 4 hour marathon, when he only had 5 miles to go before he was routed to the finish line. Not bad for his first marathon!

The disappointment has committed the group to training for their next marathon, with the hope of better results.