Twenty-Six Point Two

Twenty-Six Point Two

Words & Photos by Sarah Attar

A chronological photo series from my first marathon, the 2012 Big Sur International Marathon. With 27 available exposures on a disposable camera, I carried one along with me and took a photo during each mile of the course while running. The resulting images are close to my heart and I am glad I have them as a visual documentation from that beautiful Big Sur morning. I hit my time goal, qualified for Boston Marathon, and have returned to this race every year since.

I guess that goes for every race and run really, it’s a connection to the earth and elements unlike any other.

 

When you’re running in Big Sur, it’s hard not to have the most stellar time.

Seriously though, you may be battling every element Mother Nature wants to throw at you that day, but you just look around and non of that matters because you are in this incredible place and become part of each element while covering those 26.2 miles.

I guess that goes for every race and run really, it’s a connection to the earth and elements unlike any other.

 

There was a moment in the beginning of the race as we exited the forest and the sun was just rising, painting the hills, fields, and ocean in the most incredible golden hue.

I could hardly contain myself.

I felt like shouting out my excitement and sharing it with the world, while at the same time sitting peacefully by myself in that field, letting the ocean air dance across my face.

I felt like giving the earth a huge hug and high-five.

I felt like running.

Luckily I had around three more hours to do so and share that time with the land.

Each time I return to the Big Sur International Marathon, the same feelings permeate the run and propel me forward, and I am grateful for every step along that coastline.

 

Sarah Attar is an artist and a runner. She is also the first Saudi Arabian woman to run in the Olympics for track and field. Learn more —