Echoing The Sound of Ten Toes Down
Mohamed Abdilaahi stormed to a 26:56.58 win in the men's 10,000m as the final event in a meet that featured over 50 races. (Photographs by Dominic Stone for A Mile. A Minute.)

Echoing The Sound of Ten Toes Down

Early outdoor meets are the testing ground for proving what can be launched later in the season.

At The Ten in San Juan Capistrano closing out the month in the last weekend of March meant descending on the track at JSerra Catholic High School in a deep — and lengthy — schedule of more than 50 races that now include an expanded range of high school events.

Still, speed was the main protocol, with a range of races from the 800m to the event's signature 10,000m battles in a range of division. As the daylight glow shifted to night and the mood around the track and stands heightened photographer Dominic Stone captured the emotion behind each step, bell lap and push to collide with a win by any means.
Echoing The Sound of Ten Toes Down
The pace lights on the track were barely visible, but still effective even as the sun drenched the day in a warm reminder that outdoor season was here to stay.
Echoing The Sound of Ten Toes Down
Prep races dominated the early portion of the schedule that included dozens of race over ten hours.
Echoing The Sound of Ten Toes Down
From the stands, even the roar of a coach could be felt at the track as the tactical turned to final kick in the closing moments of a race.
Echoing The Sound of Ten Toes Down
Intense battle on the track ultimately led to camaraderie beyond the finish line.
Echoing The Sound of Ten Toes Down
The Orange County bloom of colorful flowers framed the start of each race and served as their own brand of signage as sponsor banners lined the perimeter just outside of the track.
Echoing The Sound of Ten Toes Down
Motion in sync might have been drowned out by the crowd but each early step was about establishing position and then deciding when to strike.
The Sound of Ten Toes Down
By nightfall, the stakes were upped and the pace lights on the track were an enticing beacon for those daring enough to break from the back and push for a new record.
Echoing The Sound of Ten Toes Down
After a clash for position on the track, a solitary moment of reset in the infield is the only remedy for going all out.
Echoing The Sound of Ten Toes Down
Under the cover of night and glow of the venue lights, the unique atmosphere of the event is part of the draw athletes seek from The Ten each year.
Echoing The Sound of Ten Toes Down
Beyond the finish line, a silent inventory of the previous race could be a point of a moral victory or motivation to push ahead to the next meet — or both.
Echoing The Sound of Ten Toes Down
The Ten routinely draws some of the world’s top talented middle distance runners, with Olympians among those showing up for an early season assessment of their fitness.
Echoing The Sound of Ten Toes Down
Shelby Houlihan had record ambitions cued up for the women’s Hoka professional 10,000m, but fell just short as she bolted to a 30:50.10 win.
Echoing The Sound of Ten Toes Down
With no reason to hold back, a familiar scene played out after many of the event’s races — pushing the limits until nothing was left.
Echoing The Sound of Ten Toes Down
Even in the distance of a 10,000m race, the blur of putting lap after lap in the rear view resulted in an awakening once there was just one loop remaining.
Echoing The Sound of Ten Toes Down
The lead group and chase pack dynamic quickly established who wanted better positioning and a shot to win more than everyone else on the track.
Echoing The Sound of Ten Toes Down
Felicia Pasadyn cruised to the win in the women’s pro 10,000m race in 32:04.17
Echoing The Sound of Ten Toes Down
At the end, sometimes the measure of effort came down to being on the brink of depletion. But knowing this ritual will be repeated many times in the coming months is what brings runners back.

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