The Speed Project 4.0

Olaf Heine

...

April 18, 2018

@OlafHeineStudio_Speedproject, Los Angeles, 30.03.2018_L1640569

The Speed Project is an ultra-relay race in the USA that takes runners on a 550-kilometre route through the desert. The event attracts athletes from all around the world – each of them with their own personal story. Olaf Heine was there to talk to the participants and create a series of sensitive portraits.

At the end of March, running teams from around the world flocked to Western America to compete in the fourth edition of the Speed Project – a gruelling, non-stop relay race from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. The route takes athletes across 550 kilometres of asphalt and sand, through the desert, from one metropolis to another. Olaf Heine, who has previously documented last year’s race for LFI 04.2017, once again visited the event – this time focusing on the personal stories and motivations of its participants. We introduce some excerpts from this diverse kaleidoscope of characters.

1.) Lukas Kellner, Berlin, Germany, of Team Kraftrunners at the Santa Monica Pier (Mile 1), March 30th at 4.00h

Lukas Kellner, Berlin, Germany, of Team Kraft Runners at the Santa Monica Pier (Kilometer 1), March 30th at 4.00h

5.) Mikkel Nielsen, Copenhagen, Denmark, of Team RunForceOne on Soledad Canyon Road (Mile 55), March 30th at 10.40h

Mikkel Nielsen, Copenhagen, Denmark, of Team RunForceOne on Soledad Canyon Road (Kilometer 88), March 30th at 10.40h

8.) Dave Proctor, Calgary, Canada, of Team TSPYYC on Palmdale Blvd (Mile 90), March 30th at 13.40h

Dave Proctor, Calgary, Canada, of Team TSPYYC on Palmdale Blvd (Kilometer 145), March 30th at 13.40h

9.) Mary Kate Callahan, Chicago, of Team Strava on El Mirage Road (Mile 96), March 30th at 15.10h

Mary Kate Callahan, Chicago, of Team Strava on El Mirage Road (Kilometer 154), March 30th at 15.10h

13.) Dr. Alyx Ulbrich, Okinawa, Japan, of Team Fire Power Runners on Main St. in Barstow (Mile 146), March 30th at 18.50h

Dr. Alyx Ulbrich, Okinawa, Japan, of Team Fire Power Runners on Main St. in Barstow (Kilometer 235), March 30th at 18.50h

15.) Victoria Lo, San Francisco, of Team Deathsquad on Zzyzx Dry Lake Bed (Mile 205), March 31st at 12.50h

Victoria Lo, San Francisco, of Team Deathsquad on Zzyzx Dry Lake Bed (Kilometer 330), March 31st at 12.50h

17.) Michel Rojkind Halpert, Mexico City, of Team Dromo Libre on Death Valley Road (Mile 265), March 31st at 13.25h

Michel Rojkind Halpert, Mexico City, of Team Dromo Libre on Death Valley Road (Kilometer 426), March 31st at 13.25h

18.) Christopher Harrington, Denver, Colorado, of Team Citius on Old Spanish Trail (Mile 285), March 31st at 14.10h

Christopher Harrington, Denver, Colorado, of Team Citius on Old Spanish Trail (Kilometer 459), March 31st at 14.10h

20.) Ansam Sinjab, Beirut, Lebanon, Team Mankitail Nevada State 160 (Mile 315), April 1st at 10.25h

Ansam Sinjab, Beirut, Lebanon, of Team Mankitail on Nevada State Rd. 160 (Kilometer 507), April 1st at 10.25h

21.) Jenn Miller, Los Angeles, of Team LA Rebels on Las Vegas Strip (Mile 341), March 31st at 22.05h

Jenn Miller, Los Angeles, of Team LA Rebels on Las Vegas Strip (Kilometer 549), March 31st at 22.05h

ALL IMAGES ON THIS PAGE: © Olaf Heine

Portfolio

Olaf Heine+-

Born in Hanover in 1968, the photographer and film maker got his first assignments even before finishing his training in Berlin, initially with cover photography in the German and international music scene. Later it became above all portraits of sportsmen and women, actors, musicians and other celebrities Heine prefers to photograph in black and white. More