The Festival of Constant Velocity
At the blocks, the one equalizer is the patient and anxious moments before the sound of the starter.

The Festival of Constant Velocity

Event after event, a mission of motion was the resounding theme that the outdoor season was already out of its own starting block at the L.A. Track Fest at UCLA’s Drake Stadium on May 23.

Naturally, the meet drew vibrant crowd energy as some of the notables of the sport were broadcast by the announcer as the showcase also doubled as a proving ground that the events on the inaugural USATF Tour could deliver on a consistent experience for athletes and fans.

Photographer Dominic Stone was immersed in all of it from the track to the stands, capturing the elements that amount to what draws the sport to push itself forward.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
Waleed Suliman took early initiative in the men’s 1,500m and ensured he would avoid a crowd that began to bunch early in the action.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
Catching air before hitting the water jump is a challenge to see who will try their best to avoid most of the wet obstacle and for how long.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
The lush confine of Drake Stadium is one of the many jewels at UCLA’s athletic complex and a fitting host for the track and field season.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
Brandon Miller left nothing to chance and roared to an early lead in the men’s 800m and would take the win in 1:44.26.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
A moment of planned isolation was a trackside ritual in the seconds before rocketing toward the line.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
Habtom Samuel rocketed to a 12:57.22 win in the men’s 5,000m — a victory by over six seconds.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
The water jump was unavoidable and a certain deciding factor in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
Max Thomas showed love to the crowd after his 10.12 win in the men’s 100m in a strong field.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
Even the setback of a failed attempt in the pole vault was handled with a sense of grace with a window of time to regroup, reset and launch another try at soaring over the bar.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
With hair to match his race kit Kyree King was coordinated — and connected — to launching an explosive performance in the men’s 100m.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
Ascending high is always the most critical competent of pole vault and continuously captivates the crowd in the short seconds of seeing if the attempt be successful.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
Josh Kerr was jovial after taking third in 1:44.60 in a close men’s 800m that came down to a final dash to the line.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
A warm hush fell over the crowd with each high soaring attempt in the women’s pole vault.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
Hobbs Kesser stayed vigilant in a stacked men’s 800m field that was sure of preview of what he will likely face all season.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
Each stride of the sprints seemed in sync, even if temporarily, until the reality of intense competition took hold of the event.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
The hype for the men’s 100m lifted from the track and felt like — for a moment — it was in the air as it was time to hit the start blocks.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
After a strong women’s 5,000m win, Parker Valby was eager to meet a large group of fans.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
Drew Hunter knew the pace would be frantic and accepted the assignment as he took fourth in the men’s 5,000m in 13:05.60.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
For Cooper Lutkenhaus, no autograph seemed to be off limits, even if it meant signing someone’s forehead.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
One of the best vantage points was the media pit at the infield near the finish line.
The Festival of Constant Velocity
Parker Valby dominated in the women’s 5,000m in a 14:49.41 performance that showed she was ready to put her abbreviated rookie season in the rear view.

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