Marathon Photos: a seamless transition

What began as a sleepless night’s epiphany for Francis – wondering aloud if there was a better way to sell race photos than through traditional prints – evolved into a global sensation. Their innovation introduced searchable online photos by name and bib number, setting a new standard in the industry.

Francis’s vision came to life with the launch of Marathon-Photos.com, timed to coincide with the world’s first marathon of the new millennium, held in Hamilton, New Zealand, on January 1, 2000. The concept proved so successful that by the end of that year 12 events featured online photos. The company’s evolution continued with a shift to digital photography in 2003, leading to exponential growth.

Today, Marathon Photos stands as a global trailblazer, offering everything from personal race videos and photo packs to the latest innovation: Marathon Photo Live. This cutting-edge feature allows athletes to receive a portion of their race images directly to their phones on race day, enhancing the experience for runners and their families.

The transition of ownership on 1 July 2023 was handled with seamless precision. Daniel Parker, who first met Francis in the 1990s and joined Marathon Photos a decade ago as a systems administrator, has taken over as owner and CEO. With his tech expertise and fresh ideas, the future of Marathon Photos looks promising.

Juliet Parker, Daniel’s wife and co-owner, has brought her skills to the forefront. When not leading the customer service team or managing photography crews, Juliet actively participates in events, capturing the essence of race day energy and engaging with runners. Juliet shares, “I genuinely love being part of the empire we’re building. Contributing to someone’s milestone race or first win is indescribable. The experience of traveling to iconic races like the Great Wall Marathon in China adds a unique and beautiful dimension to our work.” The Marathon Photos legacy continues within the family, as Daniel and Juliet’s teens, Finn and Aleisha, begin their own journey in photography.

Francis is thrilled with how the transition has unfolded, praising Daniel’s skills, passion, and enthusiasm. Daniel reflects on his first year as owner, saying, “We’ve been on a whirlwind adventure across the globe laying new foundations and if I’m to sum it all up, it’s positive and exciting. We have big plans ahead, with growth in staff and race events. I’m eager to see what we achieve in the next five years. Our focus remains on technology, innovation, and delivering the best possible customer experience and products.”

While Daniel remains tight-lipped about specific future plans, he promises that exciting developments are on the horizon.

Although Marathon Photos has changed hands there is a wonderful fusion of old and new. Francis and Alison continue to attend beloved events like the Outback Marathon Australia, Comrades Marathon and the Big Five in South Africa, enjoying a semi-retirement while still staying connected to the industry. Daniel and Juliet relish the opportunity to be inspired by their journey and share special moments together on tour.

Looking ahead to 2025, there’s a thrilling lineup of global races and important meets on the horizon. Both Francis and Daniel will be at the World Congress of AIMS in Vietnam this November representing Marathon Photos as AIMS Photo Partners.