A Runner's Story | Chicago Marathon 2026

I've always believed photography is a way of preserving history. Not just the big moments, but the smaller ones that deserve to be remembered.

I had the opportunity to photograph a young man after he completed the Chicago Marathon. The race was over, the crowds were moving on, and I wanted to capture something beyond the finish line.

My vision was black and white. I wanted to remove the distractions of color and concentrate on the light, the shadows, the expressions, and the person standing in front of my camera.

We walked around Chicago looking for good light. Nothing complicated. Just finding places where the light fell naturally and allowing the photographs to happen.

Eventually, we found a shaded area with beautiful, soft light. Behind him, the fall colors were coming alive. The golden leaves against his silver marathon blanket were too beautiful to ignore, so I made a few frames in color.

That's one of the things I love about photography. You can have a vision, but the light will sometimes take you somewhere else.

For me, documentary photography has always been about time. Being present, paying attention, and preserving moments that will eventually become memories.

The marathon was his accomplishment. My purpose was simply to document a small piece of his story.

And sometimes, all you need is the right light.

Photos By: Terence Guider-Shaw