Bryan Dale is a familiar sight at races, his camera at the ready to capture the agony and ecstasy of running; the pushing of mind and body to their limits for a podium place, PB or personal goal. The man behind the lens knows only too well the highs and lows of our sport...

Born in Bignall End, Staffordshire, Bryan Dale was a sporty child who was particularly good at football, rugby and hockey but it was running that he was passionate about and excelled in. He showed a turn of speed at an early age that was a sign of things to come for the ‘human dynamo’ as a football scout named him, although it wasn’t until the age of 40 that his running career took off!

Regular track sessions at Newcastle (Staffs) AC along with hill reps, tempo runs and long, slow steady runs led to a string of PB’s that included 2:34 at the Potteries Marathon; 1:54 in the Stafford 20; 1:12 in the Uttoxeter Half Marathon and 16:17 in the 5,000 metres. His crowning glory was representing England in a cross country International in Scotland where the team won gold.   

Sadly, his career came to an abrupt end when he tore his cartilage during an evening speed session that meant he was unable to race seriously again and caused permanent damage to his left knee. This was a devastating blow for Bryan as running (and racing) was his life and everything revolved around it until then. He missed the camaraderie, the excitement and the friendships made over the years and the competition. 

However, a chance spotting of a race photographs website sparked an interest and offered him a way back into the sport he loved. It was onwards and upwards from then on. 

In those early days he used a borrowed camera to take a couple of hundred photos and built a basic website called ‘Racephotos’ where runners could download images for free. Racephotos has grown over the years to become a favourite with the local running community as has Bryan’s all-encompassing hobby where he and a team of helpers take thousands of images at 60 to 70 races a year. 

Things have been a bit different this last year and a half due to Covid-19 with runners sending photos from their virtual runs to display in his gallery. The situation is improving though and live races are going ahead which is good news for Bryan (and us!). He is back to doing what he enjoys and in the company of his favourite people – runners!

Bryan Dale goes for a run most days and still experiences that endorphin rush that makes the pain and effort all worthwhile.

(Photograph above is from the British Veteran Marathon Championships 1987 where Newcastle Staffs AC won the Team Award). 

Check out Bryan's work here.

Image courtesy of Bryan Dale.