What is the Hiawatha Trail Run...and why do I shoot it.
There are trail runs, and then there's the Hiawatha Trail Run. For those unfamiliar, it's not your typical dash through sunny meadows. Imagine a race that plunges you into nearly two miles of absolute darkness, through a historic railway tunnel, guided only by the beam of your headlamp. That's the St. Paul Pass Tunnel, the centerpiece of the legendary Route of the Hiawatha, and the reason this event has carved out a unique spot in my heart – and my photography calendar.
So, what exactly is the Hiawatha Trail Run? It's a series of races, typically held in both spring and fall, that take advantage of the converted railway beds and tunnels of the "Route of the Hiawatha" in Idaho (with a small portion extending into Montana). While much of the trail is a scenic downhill glide, the real star is the epic St. Paul Pass Tunnel. Running through it is an experience unlike any other – the cool, damp air, the echoing sounds, and the profound darkness punctuated by hundreds of tiny moving lights from headlamps.
And why do I, as a photographer, choose to shoot it? Frankly, it's irresistible. The visual opportunities are boundless. The interplay of light and shadow, the dramatic silhouettes of runners emerging from the void, the sheer determination etched on faces as they navigate the darkness – it's all incredibly compelling. It's a challenge, for sure, adapting to the extreme low light and capturing movement in such unique conditions, but the results are always breathtaking. It's a chance to tell a story of endurance, adventure, and the sheer joy of pushing limits in an environment that feels both historic and otherworldly. Every year, it reminds me why I love capturing moments that are truly out of the ordinary.
