Category: Uncategorized

Graham often picked the best spot on a road or cross-country race, or the best part of a track race, to get runners battling it out head to head.  At times he caught the very moment when the decisive break was made – note the first two examples below – at others the two man head to head was captured and then the victor on his own.   One of the former was in the Bathgate 10K road race in 1985 when Alex Gilmour of Cambuslang (05) and Lawrie Spence of Spango Valley (02) were in a duel for supremacy.   The first two of Graham’s pics show the breakaway by Gilmour.

Below: An example from the SAAA marathon 1985

SAAA Marathon: Evan Cameron, Alex Robertson, Colin Youngson and Graham Getty

Colin edges ahead

Shoulder to shoulder before Evan makes the break

Evan not only wins but laps third placed Graham Getty

Edinburgh 10 Start, good field including Mike Carroll (825) and Lindsey Robertson (1595)

Mike Carroll, Jim Brown 666 – the race is on

And within sight of the finish, Mike Carroll moves off.   And does the inclusion of the woman in the background add to the picture?   Graham could easily have left her out.

Neil Tennant leads Peter Fleming and Lawrie Spence early in the race

From four runners to two – Neil and Peter shoulder to shoulder at almost exactly the same place a lap or so later

And then there was one: Neil breaks away – he won by a distance.

Brian Carty and Davie Fairweather, Cairnpapple Hill Race 1985, battling it out with Brian edging away

Brian Carty approaches the finish alone.

Stevie Began (Springburn) and Rob Carey (Annan) had a great tussle until Stevie broke away – caught in the act above

Steve Begen (Springburn)  is away, National, Irvine, 1986

Edinburgh University 10, 1985, the struggle for supremacy after the pack has been dropped, Evan Cameron, Richie Barrie, Peter Fleming, Andy Daly

Evan wins – you can see the effort required in his face!

Nat Muir (Shettleston) and Peter Fleming (Bellahouston), National, at Falkirk

We have established that Graham was a keen runner and he has been running through five decades now with no sign of stopping.    But maybe we know him better as a photographer of quality.   How did he get into the photography business?  

Always interested in photography, it was only when he went to Edinburgh Art College in 1983 that he managed to buy himself a camera using part of his student grant.   When he went to see his pals running, he started taking his camera along with him.   At that time he didn’t have what he calls “a fancy camera with motor drive or a huge assortment of lenses” and sometimes he didn’t have the required cash to buy a lot of film.   Being resourceful he decided to send the pictures that he took to magazines to cover his costs and also get some cash to buy the aforementioned film and also to get some pictures of Scottish running events out there.  He sent his photographs to Athletics Weekly who bought them, to the many magazines that appeared during the ‘running boom’ and Scottish publications like ‘Scotland’s Runner’.  This all paid for film, prints and travel. When he moved to London in 1988 he gave up running and photographing events.    Most of the negatives ended up in a box at his Dad’s.

It would be a mistake, of course, to say that he only used his camera to take photographs of athletics.   The British Culture Archive has a gallery of his pictures which starts 

“British Culture Archive

As a young punk from Broxburn in West Lothian, Graham MacIndoe started out on his creative path studying painting at Edinburgh College of Art.   That all changed when Graham developed a serious passion for photography, documenting street life around 1980s Edinburgh, creating intimate portraits of ordinary people going about their day-to-day lives.

Ordinary People

He went out every weekend when he wasn’t in the painting studios at college, taking lots of photographs.   He wanted to document the real Edinburgh – the ordinary people in the working class parts of the city, away from the tourist attractions that are portrayed across the world, places like Craigmillar, Wester Hailes and Pilton.”

You can read more and see the photos that he took away from athletics in the 1980’s at the British Culture Archive website page

https://britishculturearchive.co.uk/edinburgh-in-the-1980s-graham-macindoe/

Back to the athletics though.   By 1991 he was married with a son and at that point moved to New York City where he continued and developed his interest in photography by working in photo galleries – and he also resumed his own running.   When he got his green card, he set up in business as a freelance photographer working for magazines, design and advertising companies.

Several years ago he came across the negatives again and started scanning them and putting them up on Facebook.

So much for the athletics photographs – how about the profession away from sport?   He has been, he says, “Lucky enough to travel the world taking photographs and has worked for IBM, ESPN, MasterCard, Fidelity, New York Times magazine and The Guardian magazine.    He has also photographed many celebrities – such as Desmond Tutu, Tony Bennett, Gary Oldman, White Stripes, The National, Craig Ferguson, Frank Gehry and probably the most famous of them all, Michael Jackson.    

His photography goes wider than just the commercial work of a high standard.   His biography as noted on his website (grahammacindoe.com ) says:

Like all athletes, this runner/photographer has been snapped a few times himself.   Maybe not all to the same high standard as his own but certainly some good ones.   Running since the 1980’s he is still getting in the miles in the third decade of the twenty first century.   If you doubt for a second that he’s a runner, look at the delight on the faces of the ‘old guys’ both in Scotland and New York.   Some pictures are also on the other pages but the collection is interesting in its own right.  Some pictures – 

IN SCOTLAND

Brother Fraser Macindoe in Edinburgh Half Marathon, 1985

Fraser again – the Rannoch Marathon, also 1985

IN USA

New York 1996

New York, 1999

GRAHAM IN ACTION 1986: Falkirk Half Marathon

Graham Macindoe (Edinburgh Southern Harriers and New York City Harriers) was born in Broxburn on 13th March 1963.   Maybe better known to us as a photographer of many high quality photographs and, through them, memories and at times moments of inspiration.  Where did his running all begin?   

– How did you get started? “I got into the sport through a couple of friends who were running and because I liked Steve Ovett. I was never a great runner but stuck at it and ran some okay times and I’m still running regularly.”   

-Were you coached?   The group I trained with were coached by a guy called Ronnie O’Byrne. He was a good coach and even though I was on the slower side compared to some of the others he always gave me plenty of time. He was known for selling running shoes and spikes out the back of his car at races too.

– Was there anyone locally that particularly helped or inspired you?  I’d been running for a while when I was introduced to Brian Carty who worked in the Leyland Factory in Bathgate with my dad. He was a big influence and I ran with him occasionally on his long runs. When I moved to Edinburgh I joined ESH and got to know quite a few of those guys and especially Evan Cameron, Sandy Cameron and Neil Thin amongst others. I trained with Scott Cohen a bit back then and got to know Mark Fallows who I’m still friends with as we both live here in the US as does Scott. We even get out for a run together now and again. 

– during what years were you competing? I ran competitively off and on in Scotland during the mid ’80s then moved to London, but family life and college reduced my running a lot. I restarted when I moved to NY in 1992 and ran some of my best times then. At home I ran a few District Championships and one National but mostly did 10k, 10 mile and half marathons on the road. I only ran as a senior as I only started running when I was about 19. I’ve managed to keep running reasonably injury free and still run most days. Last time I was back I did a few nice runs with John Gladwin (the Scottish one) and Alex Robertson. 

Incidentally, Alex Robertson said that they had two great days training when Graham was back home recently and said that he had done a lot with Evan Cameron, and adds: “I did not even know he was taking all these photos of us back in the day. I am glad he has given us great memories through his posting.   All I would like to say is a big thank you Graham, because you have given us some great memories by posting all these photos.   Thanks from all the guys of the 80’s.”

-How did you get into running in the States?   I just started running again to keep fit then saw a couple of races locally, so I ran in them, did okay and joined a local club. Soon after I met my mate Patrick and ran with him – we both ran 1:13 in a half soon after. We still run together and did 11 miles the other day. I took a lot of pics in NY too but lost them during my divorce along with other stuff. 

Mark Fallows, Scott Cohen and Graham in Brooklyn

Running in NY as he does now, he really enjoys training with Mark Fallows, ex-Edinburgh AC, and Scott Cohen, formerly of Edinburgh AC, Reebok Racing Club and Mizuno AC, which you can tell by looking at the picture above!

Although he now lives in New York, he keeps his interest in Scottish athletics alive via his Facebook page, on his visits back to Scotland and contact with friends.   Back in 2015, his Dad found some old programmes in the local Thrift Shop and on investigation found that they had belonged to Andy Forbes who, in many of them, had noted results.   He sent them on to Graham who let us see them and we have them up on this site at  Andy Forbes’ Programmes page.   The programmes are

*mainly from the 50’s and 60’s but include some from the 1970’s,

*include some from the AAA’s Cross-Country and the SAAA Cross-Country Championships

*SAAA and Glasgow Championships

*include Rangers Sports and some Highland Games.

He’s a lucky man to have a collection that belonged to a man who was an Empire Games silver medallist, Scottish track and cross-country champion and all round top class athlete.   Just a few shown below.   

After the Broxburn 5 miler, 1984 : Graham, Dave Howard and his brother Fraser 

It should be noted that Graham has always had good runners to train with – for instance, Evan Cameron was a top class endurance runner and Alex Robertson (14:36 5000m, 30:40 10000m, 9:03 steeplechase) was also a very good athlete at home.   In America he has been running with Mark Fallows (1:51 800m, 3:43 1500m) and Scott Cohen (8:30 3000m, 14:41 5000m, 31:26 10000m and 2:18 marathon).   He himself was a useful runner with a 32+ 10K and a best time of 1:13 for the half marathon.

He currently lives in Brooklyn in NYC and has a 32 year old son, Liam.    He also continues to run for keep-fit purposes and follows the progress of Scottish running.   He becomes a V60 in March this year and has been running, with a short hiatus, since he was a junior man and he is still smiling in all the running photos I have seen.   The man’s a real runner.

Finishing in the Bathgate 10K, mid 1980s

 Like all enthusiasts he has his collection of mementos: note the Kenyan vest and photograph with a famous signature below.

  A Kenyan vest and a signed photograph of Kip Keino: that one came from a friend working on the  Commonwealth Games Baton relay, he printed out the photo, got it signed and managed to get a vest too.    He also has a Steve Moneghetti Commonwealth Games shorts and jacket given to him by Steve himself!   How about that, then?

We cannot do a profile of Graham without including the photographs.   Follow at the links below for some info about his career as a photographer and a look at just a few of his photographs of the Scottish scene.   The photographs and his Facebook page have been the source of a great deal of pleasure to athletes in Scotland, some athletes have rekindled friendships as a result and all have had their memories freshened up.   

Graham Macindoe –  Photographer   Graham and His Friends    

Gallery of Champions            The Marathon (1)             The Marathon (2)            Track             Race Starts             Making the Break   

All athletes have  photographs of themselves in action that presents themselves as they want to be seen, or as they think they were when they were running really well.   Sometimes a family member or another runner takes such a picture but often there is something in the background that is not quite right, or it isn’t framed quite right and half of a leg is out of shot, or whatever.   Graham has taken photographs of runners of all standards that are ones that the subjects would like to see on the wall at home, or on the sideboard or mantelpiece.  This page will have a dozen champions taken in full flight.

Allister Hutton

Bobby Quinn

Tommy Murray, 1986

Yvonne Murray, 1985

Liz Lynch, 1986

Elspeth Turner

Christine Haskett Price

Colin Donnelly

Terry Mitchell

John Graham

We all have runners that we particularly look up to:  One of Graham’s is Brian Carty (above) 

Nat Muir

John Robson

Don Ritchie

Graham Williamson

.

This page has pictures of race starts – mainly but not exclusively cross-country – and a few taken just after the start.   He knows which photographs are important to the runners and distance running aficionados – the straight on as the athletes thunder towards the viewer, the side on where the runners action can be seen, from a position high up looking down on the runners, sometimes from high up looking down at the front of the charge that is the race start.   Have a look at these.

National Cross-Country Championships, 1985, Youths

Juniors, 1985

The National, Irvine 1986

A really unusual view of runners toiling up the Dragon Hill, with the ghouls waiting at the top.   Supporter shouts – 

“You can pick up some places here!”..moments later …   “Hold your place” … “Keep running!”  … “Well, walk fast!”

Not a start?  No, but I remember a friend setting up his cine camera at the start of a National but at the wrong side and when the gun went, the runners headed off away from the camera!

The Junior Championship (always the smallest field) in 1986

The National, Callander Park, 1987: note that out of the hundreds in this picture, many of them can be recognised by looking at the faces – a dramatics picture indicating the size of the occasion with amazing clarity .

Youths National, 1987

Change of surface: Start of Six Stage Road Relay 1986: very clear – all runners can be named by looking at their faces.   

Livingston, 1985, Youths Race

Kodak 10K, Glasgow 1986

Nigel Barge Road Race, 1985

Gaymer’s Women’s 3000m Glasgow 1985

Edinburgh to Glasgow, 1986, Start

.

Although most of us head for the road and cross-country section of any book of sports photographs, we have had many great track runners in the country and throughout the 80’s Graham was there taking the photographs – Liz, Yvonne, Karen, Adrian, Alistair, Tom, Tommy et al.   The Commonwealth Games were in 1986 and there was intense competition all through 1985 to impress the selectors.   There were many more contentious selections in ’86 than there had been in ’70 with Adrian Callan, George Braidwood and Neil Tennant all being very unfortunate to miss out.   

SAAA 5000m, 1984: Nat Muir (Shettleston) leading Chris Robison (Spango Valley)

Open meeting, Meadowbank, 1985: Steve Begen leads lots of well known faces with Alex McIndoe of Springburn (Mole) leading the second wee group

SAAA 1500m, 1985: Alistair Currie (Dumbarton 37), Adrian Callan (Springburn 1), John Robson (ESH 17) 

SAAA Championships, 1985: Alistair Currie (37), John Robson (17)

SWAAA 1500m, 1985: Susan Crawford (5)

Meadowbank, July 1985: Lots of well known names – Hutton, Spence, Charleson, Braidwood …   And Below

SAAA 5000m, 1985: Bobby Quinn, Steve Parr, George Braidwood

SWAAA 1985: Liz Lynch

SWAAA, 1985, 5000m: Christine Haskett Price

Elspeth Turner, 1985

SAAA 10000m, 1985: Neil Tennant (ESH), Peter Fleming (Bellahouston)

Same Race: Tennant, Fleming, Spence

SAAA 10,000m, 1985: Fraser Clyne

SAAA 1500m Championships, 1986: Tony Coyne (Bellahouston) leading Adrian Callan (Springburn – the eventual winner – see below)

Geroge Braidwood leads the field at Meadowbank, 1986 … among the less well known are Dougie Frame and Willie Nelson (both Law & District) with Brian Goodwin on the infield having words with ?Geoff Parsons??

SAAA 5000m: Braidwood, Gilmour ..

Paul Forbes leading Adrian Weatherhead

.

London Marathon, 1986: Allister Hutton

London, 1986, Kevin Forster, Fraser Clyne, Lindsay Robertson

Edinburgh Marathon 1986: Don Ritchie

Edinburgh Marathon 1986

Commonwealth Games, 1986: Fraser Clyne

Glasgow Marathon 1986: All the medallists

Glasgow Marathon, 1986: Kenny Stuart and coach Dave Cannon

Lochaver Marathon 1985: start

Lochaber marathon, 1986: Group Colin Martin, Allan Adams, George Carlin

Lochaber 1985: Brian Carty asking for another top.

Lochaber, 1985: Carty a bit happier with the new top

Edinburgh Marathon 1987: Brian Carty

Edinburgh Marathon: Evan Cameron (5) and Mike Carroll (12)

Most photographs that adorn the sports pages of our newspapers, and many in the athletics journals too, are taken by very good photographers who do not specialise in athletics pictures.   There is nothing wrong with what they produce but when you get a photograph by a man or woman who knows about the sport, then the difference shows.   Graham MacIndoe is one of the finest sports photographers that the country has produced: he knows what pictures to take, where to take them, what angle might work best, which subjects make for good clear dramatic artwork.   In these few galleries of his work we will have photographs of some of the sports dramatic moments and many which are just very, very good pictures.   We start with some of his marathon work.

.

Edinburgh Marathon 1984: Evan Cameron

Edinburgh Marathon 1984: Evan Cameron, Lindsay Robertson

Scottish Marathon Championship 1985: Colin Youngson, Evan Cameron, Graham Getty

SAAA Marathon 1985: Leading group after 5 miles

SAAA Marathon 1985: Colin Youngson leads Evan Cameron

SAAA Marathon, 1985: Evan Cameron wins, having lapped Graham Getty

Edinburgh Marathon 1984: Martin Craven leading

Edinburgh Marathon start, 1985

Edinburgh Marathon 1985: Evan Cameron leads Murray McNaught and Mike Carroll

Glasgow Marathon, 1985: Mike Carroll leading

Glasgow Marathon 1985: Murray McNaught, Jim Brown, Andy Daly, Don Macgregor, Evan Cameron, Charlie Haskett

Glasgow Marathon 1985: Allan Adams leads, John Cowan 166

Glasgow Marathon 1985: Angie Payne, 1st Woman

Glasgow Marathon, 1985: Mike Carroll 1st Scot

Glasgow Marathon, 1985: David Lowes

Loch Rannoch Marathon, 1985: Terry Mitchell

Lochaber Marathon, 1985:  Colin Martin

Lochaber 1985: Alex Robertson

Lochaber 1985: Colin Martin

London Marathon, 1985: Allister Hutton

London 1985: Scots

Lawrie Spence, London, 1986

.

.