The Inside Athletics Photography Competition was back for 2022 with more categories and $500 in prizes! The competition was held in partnership with the most passionate online athletics community – Athletes Australia.
Week in and week out photographers across the country contribute to our great sport by capturing the action – rain, hail or shine.
This competition is about celebrating their work. The moments of triumph, despair, motion and emotion that make athletics great.
Winner – Best Track Photo
The Womens Steeple are bunched over the first water jump with mirror reflections awaiting them.
Winner – Best Field Photo
Mackenzie Leith warming up for his competition at Australian Athletics Nationals, determined to place in the competition on the podium with a medal.
Winner – Best Out of Stadia Photo
Having a bit of fun with training during floods and isolation.
Runner up – Best Track Photo
Rheed McCracken focused on the race ahead, the open mens wheelchair 100m at the Australian Championships, where he placed second overall.
Runner up – Best Field Photo
Matt Denny in the circle for his final throw of the Australian Athletics Championships, taking the National Title, the best man to trust when putting a camera under the net.
Runner up – Best Out of Stadia Photo
Marathoner Sam Hopper enjoying his harbour run on a cold winter morning during the pandemic lockdown.
Editor’s Pick – Best Other Photo
Other shortlisted photos
Jones striding through the runway in the Weekend 1 Victorian Champs hoping to get a PB or even better a podium position. 
Tayleb Willis’s undivided attention for success.
Courtney Smallacombe stares down the bar and gives it some instructions in the Women’s Pole Vault.
Team Telford completing a K rep session on a cold and windy day in perisher valley during an altitude training stint.
Gen Gregson, Eloise Wellings and Camille Buscomb waving good morning to Ellie Pashley while warming up for Run The Tan.
Check out all of the great entries received below.
Shortlist voting has now closed!
- Entries were submitted by photographers only i.e. submitting their own work.
- One photo, per photographer, could be entered in each category.
- The competition was not open to professional photographers i.e. individuals who derive the majority of their income from photography. We’ll look to expand next year’s competition to cater for professionals.
- Photos were taken between 1 April 2021 and 9 April 2022 (i.e. 2022 Brisbane Track Classic included)
- The competition will be judged by an online popular vote by the Australian athletics community:
- Shortlisting to determine the Top 4 in each category, via a vote on this page (closes 11:59pm on Thursday)
- Final voting will take place on the Athletes Australia Facebook page between Saturday and Monday. No votes from the shortlisting round carry over to the final.
This year there are three categories: Best Track Photo, Best Field Photo – and so stunning images of cross country runners, marathoners and race walkers can be included – Best Out of Stadia Photo.
Prizes
- 1st place in each category: $100 gift voucher from Ted’s Cameras
- 2nd place in each category: $50 gift voucher from Ted’s Cameras
- Editor’s choice: $50 gift voucher from Ted’s Cameras for the photo I like most, that didn’t finish first or second in any category.
The Categories
Voting took place across three categories:
Best Track Photo
22 great photos.
Contest winners
1 place
"This is a serious race mate..." by Richard Haines
Ready in their own way.
153
2 place
"Breaking the Mirror" by Jeff Wray
The Womens Steeple are bunched over the first water jump with mirror reflections awaiting them.
103
3 place
"Tayleb Willis Hurdles" by Patrick Sager
Tayleb Willis's undivided attention for success.
88
4 place
"Don’t look back" by Louise Cranston
Rheed McCracken focused on the race ahead, the open mens wheelchair 100m at the Australian Championships, where he placed second overall.
81
5 place
"The Stride" by Victoria Entwistle-Hardeman
Jones striding through the runway in the Weekend 1 Victorian Champs hoping to get a PB or even better a podium position.
73
"Don’t look back" by Louise Cranston
Rheed McCracken focused on the race ahead, the open mens wheelchair 100m at the Australian Championships, where he placed second overall.
"Peter Bol, Sydney Track Classic" by Flynn Hopkins
Peter Bol winning the Sydney track classic 800m A race in 1:46.03 over a fast finishing John Preston (1:46.25).
"Sweet Victory" by Anna Eggmolesse
The Line Up
"The Last Hurdle" by Fred Etter
Clearing the last hurdle on her way to the championship final
"Steeple fun" by John Whyte
Luckily I’ve had a lot of puddles to jump over this week for practice...
"The Pain of Olympic Pursuit" by David Tarbotton
What it means to become an Olympian - Georgia Winkcup misses the Olympic qualifying standard. (She would later qualify through rankings)
"Rhythmicity" by Andrew Hilditch
Chris Douglas, Nick Hough and Sam Hurwood press away from the field to secure automatic qualifying into the national final of the 110m Hurdles.
"Breaking the Mirror" by Jeff Wray
The Womens Steeple are bunched over the first water jump with mirror reflections awaiting them.
"Steeple frozen in time" by Ben Levy
A rarely seen angle of the steeplechase captured at Melbourne Track Classic.
"Home Stretch" by Andrew Edwards
Meet Jace, he was turning into the last stretch of his third run.
“Winning ways” by Paul McGuire
Aynslee Van Graan of Run Crew about to claim victory in torrential rain at the 2022 NSW 5000m Championships.
"The Stride" by Victoria Entwistle-Hardeman
Jones striding through the runway in the Weekend 1 Victorian Champs hoping to get a PB or even better a podium position.
"I've done it again" by Scott Sidley
Liz Clay moments after winning her second Australian 100H title.
"Reach for the goals" by Daniel Coppel
Liz Clay in the 100m hurdles heats, climbs the last hurdle on her way to victory
"Just Keep Running" by Ryan Jones
The Mens U16 3000m Championship of Australia held in torrential conditions to end the 2nd Day of a rain soaked championships.
"Tayleb Willis Hurdles" by Patrick Sager
Tayleb Willis's undivided attention for success.
"Hurdling at dawn" by Ryk Neethling
Isabella Guthrie warming up at Melbourne Track Classic for her 400m hurdles in which she claimed silver with a time of 58.08
"Battle of the Next Gen" by Joanna Margiolis
The U16 men battle it out in the 2000m steeplechase on day 3 of the Victorian Track & Field Championships.
"This is a serious race mate..." by Richard Haines
Ready in their own way.
"Blast off" by Holly Smee
Lachlan strides ahead.
"Brotherhood" by Natalie Wong
"As for the race itself, I don't remember anything other than the first few steps and crossing the line and celebrating with my competitors who I am lucky enough to call close friends and brothers." – Jai Gordon (2022 Aus U20 100m Champion)
"Pursuit" by Hanna Tait
Taken during the Sydney Track Classic
Best Field Photo
19 great photos.
Contest winners
1 place
"The Release" by Victoria Entwistle-Hardeman
Mackenzie Leith warming up for his competition at Australian Athletics Nationals, determined to place in the competition on the podium with a medal hanging around his neck by the end of the day.
133
2 place
"Spinning to Greatness" by Ryan Jones
Matt Denny in the circle for his final throw of the Australian Athletics Championships, taking the National Title, the best man to trust when putting a camera under the net.
77
3 place
"Stay Bar Stay" by Jeff Wray
Courtney Smallacombe stares down the bar and gives it some instructions in the Womens Pole Vault
69
4 place
"Alexandra Roberts Javelin" by Patrick Sager
Aiming for the sun
67
"Balance" by David Tarbotton
Masters athlete Maria Cimino displaying a technically perfect throw with the Weight Implement.
"Matt Denny, Sydney Track Classic" by Flynn Hopkins
Matt Denny throws 64.64m to beat young gun Darcy Miller (56.38m) and set a new meet record at the Sydney Track Classic
"Tension" by Hanna Tait
Women's pole vault at the Sydney Track Classic
"Human flight" by Paul McGuire
Pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall steams in towards the pit in the 2022 Australian Track and Field Championships.
"Up up & away" by Andrew Edwards
Meet Caylan, he went extra high for his last long jump of the day
"uʍop ǝpısdn" by Louise Cranston
Kurtis Marschall flying sky high over 5.60 to take the gold and the National title at the 2022 Australian Championships
"The Final Throw" by Anna Eggmolesse
Morgan Bennett at Mount Isa Athletics club
"Stay Bar Stay" by Jeff Wray
Courtney Smallacombe stares down the bar and gives it some instructions in the Womens Pole Vault
Tim McGrath 
"Jump for distance" by Daniel Coppel
The national champion, Samantha Dale, jumps in the open long jump on her way to victory
"Fingers Crossed" by Fred Etter
Nicola McDermott clearing 1.94 on her way to winning the Australian Championships in Sydney. She always jumps with her fingers crossed
"Spinning to Greatness" by Ryan Jones
Matt Denny in the circle for his final throw of the Australian Athletics Championships, taking the National Title, the best man to trust when putting a camera under the net.
"The Release" by Victoria Entwistle-Hardeman
Mackenzie Leith warming up for his competition at Australian Athletics Nationals, determined to place in the competition on the podium with a medal hanging around his neck by the end of the day.
"The moment before" by Holly Smee
Discus, focus.
"Stepping out" by John Whyte
I’m going to shake up this completion with this jump...
"Sky-high" by Joanna Margiolis
Matt Hosie soars to 4.75m in the pole vault at the 2022 Zatopek:10.
"Hulk Smash!" by Scott Sidley
Todd Hodgetts celebrates after launching the shot at the 2022 Australian Track & Field Championships.
"Alexandra Roberts Javelin" by Patrick Sager
Aiming for the sun
"910/8393" by Natalie Wong
Cedric Dubler cleared 5.00m in his first attempt, which contributed 910 points to his new decathlon PB of 8393. He won a national title and secured his ticket to Oregon World Athletics Championships.
"Perfect hair flick" by Ryk Neethling
Noa Kino jumping at Vic T&F Championships. Second place at 1.60m
Best Out of Stadia Photo
7 great photos.
Contest winners
1 place
"Morning Grind" by Natalie Wong
Marathoner Sam Hopper enjoying his harbour run on a cold winter morning during the pandemic lockdown.
89
2 place
"Playing in the puddles" by Hanna Tait
Having a bit of fun with training during floods and isolation
78
3 place
"Thin air" by Flynn Hopkins
Team Telford completing a K rep session on a cold and windy day in perisher valley during an altitude training stint.
41
4 place
"Warmup at The Tan" by Ben Levy
Gen Gregson, Eloise Wellings and Camille Buscomb waving good morning to Ellie Pashley while warming up for Run The Tan.
23
"Where the land meets the sea" by Holly Smee
Take control of the wild lands.
"Into the light" by Paul McGuire
Loren Elliot from Athletics East competing at the 2021 St George Cross Country meet in Sydney.
"Morning Grind" by Natalie Wong
Marathoner Sam Hopper enjoying his harbour run on a cold winter morning during the pandemic lockdown.
"Thin air" by Flynn Hopkins
Team Telford completing a K rep session on a cold and windy day in perisher valley during an altitude training stint.
"Playing in the puddles" by Hanna Tait
Having a bit of fun with training during floods and isolation
"Warmup at The Tan" by Ben Levy
Gen Gregson, Eloise Wellings and Camille Buscomb waving good morning to Ellie Pashley while warming up for Run The Tan.
"Nature" by David Tarbotton
The freedom of running.
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