Bobby Gavin’s Photos of the Year (Part Two)

Tuesday 31st December 2019

Photographer Bobby Gavin covers the ground for scottishathletics throughout the year – with superb pictures from all sorts of events in various disciplines.

This year, we decided to ask him to pick a dozen or so of his favourites from the past 12 months.

So here is part two of Bobby’s 2019 selection box – with comments from the man himself on why he chose a particular picture.

Remember, check out Bobby Gavin’s website on here

Above and Below

Chris Thompson arrived in Glasgow looking for his third win in a row in the Great Scottish Run.

It wasn’t to be, but I was so impressed by the way he acknowledged the crowd’s support at the finish line.

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Hurdles races are always good for action shots but it is the sheer determination on the faces of both athletes which makes this one a personal favourite from Loughborough 2019.

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I always try to look for different angles if possible, and the balcony at Loughborough gives a rare opportunity for an overhead shot.

(NOTE: standing on a rail hanging over a balcony also gets you some really questioning looks from spectators).

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There are variations of this shot throughout the season, with coaches, family and team-mates all often encouraging other athletes. This one, though, has two Olympians in it . . . !

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The relationship between coaches, family and athletes isn’t necessarily obvious to those outside the sport.

Over the years, I’ve come to realise just how much background work goes into getting an athlete ready for competition. It was nice to be on hand to catch this moment.

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Another one that makes me smile.

From memory, I think this was for third place so in context, it is arguably the best shot of the season to sum up the ethos promoted by scottishathletics : ‘Competition – It’s What You Train For’