Oxford Half Marathon with Runna
In October 2025, I had the privilege of photographing Runna at the Oxford Half Marathon, Strava’s newly acquired running coaching app. Despite foggy conditions blanketing the historic streets of Oxford, the atmosphere was electric as the Runna team cheered on their creator community through 13.1 miles of personal bests and milestone achievements.
Founded in 2021 by running enthusiasts Dom Maskell and Ben Parker, Runna has become one of the world’s top-rated running coaching apps. At the Oxford Half, I witnessed firsthand why this community has grown so rapidly. Co-founder Coach Ben was on the ground with the Runna crew, positioned along the course to provide encouragement and celebrate with their creators as they chased down personal records.
The energy from the Runna team added an extra dimension to the event photography. Capturing genuine moments of connection between coaches and runners illustrated what sets Runna apart: personalized support that extends beyond an app interface into real-world race day experiences.
Photography Challenges in the Fog
The foggy October morning presented unique challenges for sports event photography. Visibility was limited, atmospheric conditions created soft, diffused lighting, and the moisture in the air required constant attention to camera equipment. However, these challenging conditions also produced atmospheric imagery that perfectly captured the determination required for half marathon racing.
Â
Fog transforms race photography by adding mood and drama to every frame. Runners emerging from the mist, the glow of streetlights along Oxford’s historic routes, and the ethereal quality of early morning racing created compelling visual storytelling opportunities. The conditions demanded technical adjustments: higher ISO settings to maintain shutter speed, careful exposure compensation, and strategic positioning to maximize available light.
Oxford's Historic Running Route
The course begins at Broad Street near Trinity College and takes runners past the River Cherwell, Lady Margaret Hall, and through Oxford’s stunning architecture. Photographing along this route provided diverse backdrops: the iconic university buildings emerging through morning fog, tree-lined paths through Old Marston village, and the energetic finish area on Parks Road.
Â
The historic setting elevated the event photography beyond typical race coverage. Oxford’s architectural grandeur combined with the intimate community atmosphere created by Runna’s presence resulted in images that balanced the epic scale of a 13,000-runner event with personal, human moments of achievement and support.
Looking for a London-Based Sports Event Photographer?
This Runna assignment reinforced key principles for sports and lifestyle event photography. Brand presence at races extends beyond finish line banners: it’s the coaches cheering at mile markers, the genuine celebrations with community members, and the authentic connections that make running about more than just times and distances.
Photographing running events requires anticipation, adaptability, and understanding the narrative beyond the race itself. For Runna at Oxford, that narrative included foggy atmospheric conditions that didn’t dampen spirits, personal records achieved through months of app-guided training, and a community brought together by shared goals and expert coaching support.
The foggy October morning at the Oxford Half Marathon may have reduced visibility, but it amplified everything that makes running photography compelling: determination overcoming obstacles, community support transcending weather conditions, and personal achievements realized regardless of circumstances. Documenting Runna’s presence at this event captured not just a race, but the genuine human connections that make running transformative.
Specializing in sports event photography, running race photography, and brand activation coverage in London and throughout the UK. Professional photography services for fitness brands, running events, and lifestyle sports campaigns.
Keywords: running event photography UK, Oxford Half Marathon photographer, sports event photographer London, running race photography, fitness brand photography, event photography Oxford, lifestyle sports photography, marathon photography services, brand activation photographer, running community photography
