The Nike + Human Race proved not only to be an extraodinary sporting and charity event, it also ended up being a great night for music enthusiasts like myself!
At the end of the night when all the participants finished the race, Kanye West and Common took to the stage. Unfortunately, I couldn't get an interview with the Grammy-Award winning performers; apparently their people cut off all media interviews. Boo, just boo! However, I was able to get some cool shots and video from the concert.
Kanye began his set like a champ. The first cut he performed of the night was "Champion" from his latest album Graduation. Next up he performed "Flashing Lights" as the setting transformed into a futuristic mirage of blue laser lights thrashing throughout the stage.
Kanye's percussion ensemble pumped through "Homecoming" and "Testify" while audience members mimicked the lyrics word-for-word.
Mid-way through Kanye's set, fellow hip-hop artist and friend, Common joined Kanye on stage. The energy was fierce and both Common and Kanye's stage presence was certainly felt by the thousands of adoring fans and runners. Both performers stuck to their mainstream hits (it would've been cool to hear some other cuts from past albums).
Kanye performed an a capella piece, but just as the beat was supposed to drop, Kanye's DJ missed his cue, and of course, Kanye put him on blast in front of thousands. "You effed it up, man. Well, there goes the exclusive!" Kanye said. Kanye and his crew quickly moved on to the next song, crowd favorite, "Gold digger." The audience couldn't get enough of the College Dropout, and honestly, I was impressed with his stage presence and overall commanding performance.
Kanye ended his set with one of my favorites, "Stronger." A wave of hands swayed back in forth moving in sync with the electronic beat. Kanye exited stage left as the audience was left wanting more of the self-proclaimed "king."
The concert ended with a spectacular fireworks display hovering over the Coliseum stage. A perfect ending to a great night full of sport, music, and charity!
If you have about ten minutes to spare, check out these EXCLUSIVE SCENES I captured from the concert on Sunday night!
Sunday, August 31, 2008. As soon as I arrived at the L.A. Coliseum I immediately posted up inside the media zone where celebrities and world-class athletes arrived for the Nike Human Race.
What a weird space to be in. I never thought of myself as a paparazzi-type but as soon as the celebrities and athletes came strolling through, it was feast or famine in order to snag the best shot and interview. Surprisingly, however, most of the photogs were pleasant (though I can't really say the same for some PR people – eh, get over yourselves already, I say!).
Anyhoo, my first shot and interview came from gold medalist and LA Sparks center, Lisa Leslie. I've always heard great things about Lisa Leslie – and she didn't disappoint. Leslie's personality was warm and welcoming, a refreshing encounter. Though I like to think I'm tall for the average female, homegirl towered over me as I grabbed a quick interview with the gold-medal-wearing athlete.
Also while in the media zone, I snapped some shots of actors and actresses, including Jerry O'Connell, Jason Priestley, Tiffany Amber Thiessen, and The Great Debaters actress Kimberly Elise. I also got a chance to sit down with Elise and talk about the race. I found out that Elise is a former track athlete – (hey, I have something in common with the critically acclaimed actress!)
JERRY O'CONNELL
JASON PRIESTLEY
TIFFANY AMBER THIESSEN
KIMBERLY ELISE
While participants were running around the city, American Idol judge and host extraordinaire, Randy Jackson, stayed behind and chatted up with some news media. Jackson helped host the event throughout the night. Cool dude, and yes, he really is da man.
RANDY JACKSON
Check out all the cool interviews I snagged below! Great night, indeed.
What. A. Day! Whoever said chasing around celebrities and athletes was an easy job surely had no clue what they were talking about.
Yesterday, well over 12,000 people gathered for the 10K Nike Human Race in Los Angeles, California – the last leg of 25 cities around the world. The Nike Human Race brings together the power of sport and music to inspire and connect runners from every corner of the planet, offering participants across the world the chance to run and compete together in an unprecedented race experience.
Though the race started promptly at 8:31:08, people began to fill the L.A. Coliseum around 5:00 p.m. Folks took to the grass early:
warming their muscles,
listening to their mp3 players,
and some even chose to chillax (translation: chill + relax) under a tree before the event.
Sweltering temperatures welcomed participates, though as the sun set and as time approached to begin the race, the air turned comfortably crisp – perfect conditions for a great run.
Though the race was a fun opportunity for some to gather for a good cause, I found other runners getting into a serious zone before the race even began.
In addition to the thousands participating in the event, loads of media folks (including yours truly), staffers, and volunteers were scattered around the entire day helping to make this event spectacular.
At the end of the night two winners emerged from the pack: Christian H. and Grace M.
Luckily there were no reports of any injuries or conflicts. Everyone came out for a great cause, a great run – and oh yeah, someone by the name of Kanye West performed at the end of the night.
Yesterday I went to the local high school in my area and ran around the track. Toward the end of the last of four laps my lower back began to tighten up – I mean, really tighten up. It felt like my entire lower back was transforming into a block of cement.
I've had lower back problems ever since my freshman year of high school playing volleyball. But as I've gotten older, my back problems have worsened. (It probably doesn't help that I sit hunched over a keyboard everyday while working on my computer!)
Sadly, I've become that statistic those in the sports medicine community reference: I am a (former) female athlete grappling with sports-related injuries. Woe is me.
It's a bit disheartening knowing that I am my worst enemy at this point. Imagine if you were a singer and you lost your vocal chords. Or if you were a poet and lost your ability to construct beautiful images with words. I sort of feel hampered by my own body. Though I haven't completely lost the ability to use my limbs, the tension in my back has made running (my life-long companion) somewhat difficult.
So as I prepare to run the Nike Human Race, I've decided to diversify my exercise routine to include swimming, strength training, and cycling. (Any more suggestions is GREATLY appreciated.) Though I still plan on running to prepare for August 31st, I'm going to do so in moderation. I'll also be referencing Nike's "Train For The Race" webpage, which includes cool tips from Jamaican sprinter, Asafa Powell. Woo-hoo, I’m pumped!
How can I not be motivated to take part in an event of this magnitude? Plus supporting Lance Armstrong’s organization, the dude who single-handedly conquered cancer, makes my whole lower back sit-chee-ation feel like a tiny bump in the middle of a small dirt road no one hardly ever uses.
In other words: I'm inspired!
Although I can't take part in the various Nike-sponsored training sessions being held around the L.A. area this week and next week, I will be training in my community.
In addition to running (and probably walking) the race, I will be covering all events held on August 31st. I'm hoping to capture some really great images from the race and meet up with some great folks.
If you are unable to run in the major cities listed, don't fret; you can participate by running in your communities. In fact, Nike encourages everyone to get out and run on 8.31.08, not only for our health, but for the good of thousands of others benefiting from three really cool social organizations! Find out more about how you can get involved HERE.
