Event Name: Chase a Cop 5K
Location: Miami, Florida
There's something special about a race that kicks off with the sunrise painting the sky over the Atlantic Ocean. On September 20, 2026, we had the honor of being the official photographers for the Chase a Cop - Miami 5K, also known as the Bleeding Blue 5K, and what a morning it turned out to be.
The energy at Haulover Park was electric from the moment runners started gathering at the start line. You can see it right here—families, serious runners, first-timers, and law enforcement supporters all lined up together under that iconic Southern Timing arch. The water glistening in the background, the bridge stretching across the bay, and dozens of participants ready to take off. This is what community looks like, and honestly, it's what makes photographing these events so rewarding for us.
Why This Race Hits Different
Here's the thing about the Chase a Cop 5K—it's not just another race on the calendar. This event benefits South Florida law enforcement families through the Bleeding Blue nonprofit organization, which means every runner out there is supporting the people who keep our communities safe. You can see it in the shirts they're wearing, with that thin blue line running through the design. It's a cause that brings people together in a really meaningful way.
The course itself? It's an out-and-back route along Collins Avenue (A1A for you locals), with runners heading south before turning around and finishing back at Haulover Park. The best part is those ocean views—runners got to watch the sun come up over the water while they were crushing their goals. We've shot tons of 5Ks around South Florida, but there's something about that combination of waterfront scenery and a mission-driven event that just works.
The Morning Light Was Perfect
So get this—we arrived early to scout our shooting positions, and the morning light was absolutely gorgeous. That golden hour glow was still hanging around, which gave us some incredible backlighting opportunities. When you're shooting a race that starts at 7:05 AM, you've got to work with what nature gives you, and September in South Florida delivered big time.
Check out Carlos Halabe (bib 7488) bringing some serious style with those bright orange shoes and that infectious smile, while Aiden Arrona (bib 8303) brings that same energy with the victory pose and the biggest smile. These finish line moments never get old for us.
Romulo Raffaele (bib 1887) crossed that finish line like a champion with arms raised in victory. That morning light created the perfect glow, and the bubbles floating through the frame add to the celebration atmosphere, while Ulises Coronel (bib 1843) came through the finish with that celebratory fist pump in his eye-catching tie-dye outfit—impossible to miss in a crowd.
The Course and the Challenge
The Chase a Cop 5K route is pretty straightforward, but that doesn't mean it's easy. It's flat, which is great for people chasing PRs, but September in Miami means you're dealing with humidity. Even at 7 AM, South Florida weather is no joke. But here's what's cool—the ocean breeze off the Atlantic helps, and having that water view keeps runners motivated.
We positioned ourselves at several key spots along the route: the start line (obviously), about a mile in where we caught runners hitting their stride, the turnaround point, and then the finish line area where all the emotion comes out. Each spot gives us different energy to work with.
Alejandro Saroza (bib 1832) brought his A-game, powering through with that focused determination, while young runner Nathan Nicaragua (bib 7492) absolutely flew across that finish line—look at that speed! One thing we notice shooting these community races is how many young runners participate. It's awesome seeing the next generation getting into running and supporting important causes.
What's interesting about shooting this race is the variety of runners you see. You've got competitive athletes flying through in under 20 minutes, you've got families running together, you've got people who are just happy to finish. Every single one of them gets the same energy from us behind the camera.
Look at the pure elation from Abigail Cano (bib 8310) with both arms raised in victory—that's the face of someone who just achieved something meaningful, while Eddy Diaz (bib 8251) powered through with intensity written all over his face. The contrast between these two runners shows the range of emotions we see at the finish line.
Behind the Scenes of Race Photography
Here's something people might not realize: we're running around almost as much as the participants. We start by shooting the pre-race atmosphere—people warming up, nervous energy, friends catching up. Then we're at the start line capturing that moment when the race begins. After that, we're repositioning to catch runners mid-course, then racing to the finish line to catch everyone coming through.
For this event, we had two photographers working different angles, which let us cover more ground and get those varied perspectives. When you're the official race photographer, you want to make sure every runner has at least one great shot of themselves that captures their effort and emotion.
Check out Brenda Rivera (bib 982)—arms up, sunglasses on, totally victorious. The thin blue line American flag on the shirt tells the whole story of what this race is about, while Melanie Arias (bib 7491) came through with the biggest smile and a peace sign—that's pure finish line happiness right there.
The bubbles you see in some of these shots? That's part of the finish line celebration setup. It adds this magical, festive element to the photos that really captures the joy of completing a race.
What Makes Haulover Park Perfect for This Event
If you've never been to Haulover Park, you're missing out. It's right on the water in Bal Harbour, with the Haulover Inlet bridge providing this incredible backdrop. The park has wide paths perfect for a 5K route, plenty of parking, and that unbeatable ocean view. For a race like this, the location matters—and Haulover delivers.
The logistics were smooth too. Southern Timing handled the race timing and management, which meant runners got their splits and official times tracked professionally. Participants received performance race t-shirts and those awesome finisher medals with the Chase a Cop design—you can see them in some of our photos.
Allison Alfanso (bib 925) came through with incredible energy and determination, while Melanie Arias (bib 7491) powered through with focused intensity. What we love about these mid-race shots is catching that moment when runners are fully in their zone. They're not worried about the camera—they're just focused on putting one foot in front of the other.
The beauty of race photography is capturing runners at every level. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or someone completing their first 5K, you deserve to have that moment documented. That's why we position ourselves to catch as many runners as possible.
The Community Vibe
What really stood out about the Chase a Cop 5K was the community atmosphere. Law enforcement officers ran alongside civilians, families participated together, and everyone was there for the same purpose—supporting South Florida's law enforcement families. The Bleeding Blue nonprofit does incredible work, and events like this are how they raise funds and awareness.
We saw runners helping each other, cheering for strangers, and celebrating every finish like it was a personal victory. That's the stuff that doesn't always show up in photos but you feel when you're there shooting.
Claudia Sequera (bib 911) absolutely crushing it in her GoRun Miami gear—you can see the determination written all over her face. And this finish line moment? Thadeu Capote (bib 1925) and Claudia Tino Capote (bib 1924) stopped to grab a selfie after crossing the finish—you can see the pure joy on their faces in matching "Bleeding Blue - Run For Heroes" shirts. These are the moments that make events like this special—it's not just about the race times, it's about the shared experience and celebrating together.
The technical side of capturing these moments involves anticipating where runners will be, understanding how the light is changing as the sun rises, and being ready to shoot continuously. We're typically shooting in burst mode, taking multiple frames per second, because you never know which exact moment will capture that perfect expression or stride.
Race Day Details That Matter
For anyone thinking about running the Chase a Cop 5K in the future, here's what you should know: registration opens early in the morning (around 5:30 AM), with the race starting at 7:05 AM. The early start time is perfect for beating the Miami heat. Awards and podium presentations happen around 8:30 AM, so faster runners can stick around to see who topped the leaderboard.
The course is USATF certified, which means it's an official 5K distance—3.1 miles exactly. The flat terrain makes it great for people trying to set a personal record, but don't underestimate the humidity factor. Hydration stations were set up along the course, and the finish line area had plenty of water and refreshments.
From a photography perspective, the variety of backdrops along the course gave us tons of options. The tree-lined sections of Haulover Park provided natural framing, the water views added that South Florida flavor, and the finish line setup was perfect for capturing those emotional moments.
Why We Love Shooting These Events
After shooting hundreds of races across South Florida, certain events stand out. The Chase a Cop 5K is one of them. It combines everything we love about race photography: a meaningful cause, a beautiful location, incredible morning light, and runners who bring their A-game and their best energy.
The mission behind the race adds weight to every photo we take. These aren't just people running for medals—they're running to support law enforcement families who sacrifice for our communities. That purpose shows up in the photos. You can see it in the shirts people wear, the pride on their faces, and the way participants support each other.
As professional sports photographers, we're always looking for those moments that tell a story beyond just "person running." We want to capture the why, not just the what. The Chase a Cop 5K gave us countless opportunities to do exactly that.
Looking Forward
The Chase a Cop - Miami 5K at Haulover Park is becoming one of our favorite annual events to shoot. The combination of purpose, location, and community makes it special. Whether you're a serious runner chasing a PR, someone supporting law enforcement, or a family looking for a fun morning activity, this race delivers.
For runners who participated, we hope these photos captured the spirit of your morning. For those thinking about signing up next year, we'll be there with our cameras ready to document your journey from start to finish.
The Bleeding Blue nonprofit and the Chase a Cop 5K are doing important work for South Florida law enforcement families. Being the official photographers for events like this isn't just a job for us—it's an honor. We get to document stories of perseverance, community, and support that matter way beyond the finish line.
If you ran this race, we'd love to hear about your experience. What motivated you to sign up? How did the course treat you? And most importantly—did you get that sunrise ocean view during your run? Because from where we were standing behind the camera, it was absolutely spectacular.
Here's what it's all about—those Chase a Cop finisher medals with the thin blue line design, proudly displayed and ready to be earned by every participant who crossed that finish line. These medals represent more than just completing a 5K. They represent supporting a cause, being part of a community, and achieving something meaningful on a Sunday morning in South Florida.
Until next year's race, keep running, keep supporting important causes, and we'll keep capturing every powerful moment along the way.
Find the complete set of race results and photos at Southern Timing.
