Running
10 stunning photos that will make you want to run
Need some inspiration to go running? Look no further. From the mountains of Chamonix to the beaches of California, here are 10 stunning shots of runners in places you could run too.
You can run just about anywhere on this planet – but some places are way better than others. If you spend your time pounding out the miles on a treadmill in your gym or stick to the same route every time you head out into the streets around your neighbourhood, why not go somewhere different?
We’ve dug deep into our photo archives to find these amazing shots of runners in action and the stories behind them – from a mad dash up the world’s steepest ski run to an easy jog on a remote Egyptian beach.
Maybe they'll inspire you to go and run there yourself; maybe they’ll give you an idea for your next running adventure; or maybe they'll just make you feel like tying up your laces and getting back on the beat. Whatever your reaction, one thing’s for certain: they're some of the most beautiful running shots you'll ever see.
1. Planica, Slovenia
Taking on a ski slope
© Jure Makovec / Red Bull Content Pool
Photographer: Jure Macovec
Competitors race up one of the world’s steepest ski jumps in Planica, Slovenia, backed by a stunning tree-filled mountain landscape, during the uniquely challenging Red Bull 400 run.
“This really shows how big and steep the hill is and what a battle it is for the participants to ‘bite the knees’ and reach the top,” said Macovec. “It was grey, foggy and wet at the start, but the clouds tore apart and at the top of the judges tower the light created a dramatic shot.”
2. Chamonix, France
Stunning spiked peaks make an awe-inspiring backdrop
© Mathis Dumas/Red Bull Content Pool
Photographer: Mathis Dumas
The stunning spiked peaks of the Aiguilles Rouges Range in the Chamonix valley make a spectacular backdrop, as Brazilian endurance runner Fernanda Maciel trains ahead of the 2018 Ultra Trail Mont Blanc.
“There was an incredible atmosphere,” said Dumas. “We had climbed in the mountains for two hours when we found this ridge, just above the clouds with some fresh snow highlighting the rocks and these awesome mountains in the background. It was perfect.”
3. Exmoor, UK
Taking on the coast
© Olaf Pignataro/Red Bull Content Pool
Photographer: Olaf Pignatoro
This beautiful trail run follows some of Britain’s most stunning coastline – but in this case it was part of a fast-paced knockout challenge, as 400 racers took on the 23-mile Red Bull Steeplechase.
The event was as challenging to photograph as it was to compete in, and Pignatoro said: “I wanted to shoot the race in different sections, but it’s so remote there are no roads to the most scenic parts, so I had to run too. To get the angle for this I had to climb some pretty scary overhanging rocks.”
4. California, USA
Black Sands beach in California
© Justin Sund / Red Bull Content Pool
Photographer: Justin Sund
Ultra Runner Dylan Bowman set the fastest known time on the Lost Coast Trail in 2018. This shot was at Black Sands Beach in Shelter Cove, 65km into this single-day push through 88km of the Californian wilderness.
“Dylan ran on overgrown trails, through rivers and along long rocky beaches and this shot represents the enormity of that day’s challenge,” recalled Sund. “It also represents the grand adventure of running: dwarfed by your surroundings or the path at your feet but still forging ahead, body and mind chasing the tide, just because you can.”
5. Nottingham, UK
Running through Sherwood Forest
© Dora Damian / Red Bull Content Pool
Photographer: Dora Damian
A smiling competitor runs along a forest trail during the Robin Hood orienteering adventure event, racing from checkpoint-to-checkpoint through one of England’s most legendary woodlands.
“This was late in the day and I was trying to get to the finish, but I didn’t know where I was,” admitted Damian. “I got back on track and a runner shot past me with a big smile – which was pretty impressive given how tough the race was.”
6. Cederberg, South Africa
Taking on the rocky Cederberg Mountains
© Craig Kolesky/Red Bull Content Pool
Photographer: Craig Kolesky
Top ultra runner Ryan Sandes runs down a pass in South Africa’s Cederberg range. After a tough season struggling with illness and injury, Sandes went there with a group of friends to simply reconnect with the mountains.
“Shooting with Ryan is always, erm, interesting,” said Kolesky. “He’s most in his element high on remote ridges and usually goes very light. My challenge is lugging up my gear and scouting positions. His, as with most good action sports shots, is to run it again and again until I get the shot.”
7. Susa, Italy
Stevie Kremer appears from the clouds
© Stephane Candé / Red Bull Content Pool
Photographer: Stephane Cande
Athlete Stevie Kremer is seen here closing in on the 3,538m-high summit of Rocciamelone at the end of the world’s only Triple Vertical Kilometre race, the Red Bull K3.
“I had no idea where the athletes would be coming from,” said Cande, who had hiked overnight to get in position. “At this point, it’s so steep and rocky, many were crawling through the rocks with arms and legs, not running. They were like ghosts in the clouds – but most still gave me a smile.”
8. Newcastle, Australia
Conquering the sand
© Krystle Wright/Red Bull Content Pool
Photographer: Krystle Wright
The wild and windy sandy dunes of Stockton Beach played host to the 10km Dune Dusters race and here eventual winner Stu Adams is seen coming down off some of the race’s biggest mountains of sand.
“This shot was from the air and it was amazing to watch the tiny figures battling through steep sand dunes and howling winds,” said Wright. “We flew quite low to get this shot, which really shows the scale of the place and how the athlete is engaging with the environment.”
9. Chamonix, France
Striding past a glacier in Chamonix
© Kelvin Trautman / Red Bull Content Pool
Photographer: Kelvin Trautman
The mountains around Chamonix contain some of the world’s best trail runs and here ultra runner Ryan Sandes is running alongside the mighty Glacier d’Argentière, training for the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc.
“This region has such stunning backdrops and head-turning scale you feel like a kid in a playground,” said Trautman. “I wanted to capture the sheer joy of trail running here, so we packed light and stayed in refuges. This shot is of Ryan running at sunrise, grinning slightly, trying contain the stoke.”
10. Eastern Desert, Egypt
Hopping off the boat for a quick run
© Harald Tauderer/Red Bull Content Pool
Photographer: Harald Tauderer
Christian Schiester is an inspiration in himself. At age 20 he weighed 100kg and smoked 40 a day. Then he started running – and this shot shows him on a beach in Egypt’s eastern desert during his Sail and Run project.
He has since raced at the Marathon des Sables, the South Pole, the Brazilian Jungle and the Himalayas. But sometimes the simple places are just as enjoyable as the extremes.
“This shot is just Schiester doing an easy run when we went ashore from the boat early one morning,” said Tauderer. “There were some much more amazing shots, but this one just shows you can find amazing places to run wherever you look."
Inspired by these photos? Want to see how your shots compare to others? Get involved with this year's Red Bull Illume and put your best pics to the test.
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