Before we were asked to create a promo video for this event, I had already registered for the 5km run, as the Cape Breton Fiddlers Marathon has become an annual event that I look forward to! So right off the bat I knew we were facing some logistical challenges. We needed aerial video, shots on the ground of the runners, music, the crowd, etc, and a race right in the middle. Sounds like a hectic day!
The morning came, it was a crisp cool day. We arrived around 6:30am to get a lay of the land before the marathon and half marathon runners took off at 7:30. We then had 45 mins before the 10km run started so we got some footage of people warming up and the classic Cape Breton bagpipe music. We then lined up our shots for the 10km run. I had a tight angle of the start line, while Sarah patrolled the the sky’s to get some aerial drone shots. From that moment I had 15 minutes before my race started, so I hurried a few stretches in, and got mentally prepared.
Before I knew it, I was at the start line, heart pounding and legs trembling (no matter what, any race gets the butterflies going). I knew that I wanted to push myself toward a personal best time. As a result, I hit the finish line with wobbly legs and a nauseous stomach. I barely had enough time to gather myself before it was straight back out to capture other runners crossing the finish line. Sarah and I then went over to the Westmount side to catch a few highland dancers, and the crowds cheering on the runners, before wrapping up our morning.
This was all such a cool experience for me. Generally the adrenaline starts pumping just before a race. However it was a continual rush throughout the whole morning as we balanced getting all the shots we needed, while getting a race done right in the middle. The result was a second place finish, 3 seconds off my personal best 5km time, and this cool video to promote an incredible annual event here in Cape Breton. Enjoy!
-Paul Martin
