Mud, Muscles, and Matrimony: Capturing Sunday’s Hillside Chaos
Last Sunday, the tranquil slopes of The Nower in Dorking were transformed into a theater of the absurd, and I had the front-row seat (and the muddy boots) to prove it. From the staggering grit of the Leith Hill Half Marathon to the pure, unadulterated madness of the UK Wife Carrying Race, my lens saw it all.
The Heavy Lifting: UK Wife Carrying Race
The morning kicked off with a spectacle that truly defies description. Seeing couples navigate a 380m uphill scramble while utilizing the "Estonian Hold"—essentially a human backpack of legs and determination—is a photographer’s dream.
The air was filled with more than just the scent of damp grass; it was a mix of intense focus and the "Splash Zone" chaos. Between the hay bale hurdles and the spectators armed with buckets of water, the action was relentless. I managed to capture the Finnish duo, Teemu and Jatta, as they stormed to a new course record of 1:45.5, securing their barrel of local ale. But the real heart of the shoot was in the "fancy dress" pack—the smiles, the grimaces, and the sheer relief of crossing that line without dropping a partner.
The Long Grind: Leith Hill Half Marathon
As the wife carriers headed for their celebratory beers, the atmosphere shifted to the endurance-fueled intensity of the Half Marathon. Following the runners from the start up toward the iconic Leith Hill Tower provided a stunning contrast in scale.
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The Pace: Seeing Thomas Davies break the course record with a blistering 1:18:42 was a masterclass in trail running.
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The Grit: Capturing Sarah Forbes-Smith leading the women’s field (also setting a new record!) showed the pure athleticism required to conquer the highest point in South East England.
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The Reward: My favorite shots weren't just at the summit, but at the finish line—the steam rising off runners in the "murky" March air as they traded sweat for a well-earned medal.
See the Full Gallery
The wait is over! All the action shots, from the intense finish line grimaces to the splashing madness of the wife carry event, are now live.
View the complete photographic coverage here:
👉 stevenmccormickphotography.com/f446534805
Whether it was the "Weight of Love" or the weight of the climb, every participant brought something special to the hill. Head over to the site to find your photo and relive the mud and glory!
Epsom Downs Training – 20 September 2025
On Saturday, 20 September 2025, I was out on Epsom Downs early to capture the morning training sessions. The gallery covers several areas of the Downs, including the sand gallops, the bottom-mile stretch, and the poly surface.
Local trainers featured in this set include Jim Boyle, Toby Lawes, George Baker, Michael Attwaters, and Craig Benton, with their horses working across different parts of the Downs. Some strings were put through steady canters, while others were asked for stronger work depending on their training programme.
From a photography point of view, I worked with a mix of long-lens action shots to capture stride patterns and detail in motion, and wider angles to show the landscape and the scale of the gallops. The early light helped pick up both the horses’ movement and the texture of the surfaces, especially on the sand gallop.
The session was shot on Canon 6d Mk1 full-frame camera with a 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 telephoto lens, giving sharp images even in low light and allowing for both close action and wider scene-setting frames.
This gallery gives a straightforward look at the day-to-day work that goes into racehorse preparation, combining the training activity itself with the unique backdrop of Epsom Downs.
You can view the full gallery here: Epsom Downs Training – 20 Sept 2025.