I've volunteered to shot photos for a tri-athalon type race. There will be kayaks, cross country run with orienteering, and a mountain bike section.

The photogs have free reign except for an official photog at the finish. Not sure who that will be yet, but up until the finish that photog will have free reign also. We can be on the trail with the participants as long as we don't hinder them, which is way cool!

We took a quick 2 hour tour and stopped at several spots along the course to show start/stop of each event. We may have some kodiaks (rubber boats) on the river for photogs to get some water shots.

The pictures will be available to the participants and some will be selected for the local papers etc.

I'll be using my Pentax DL with a 1G SD card. I hope to get a couple more SDs before next weekend. I've got the Pentax 18-55 and a Tamron 75-300. My back up digital will be my finepix 3000.

OK, so you get the jist of what's going on.

Anyone got any pointers for me to shoot this event?

Should I shoot flash at close range for fill or will it distract the participants too much? Should I get a car window reflector and set it up in advance at strategic locations along the trail?

Should I get a cheap tripod for the event? I have a broken one that I use for my external flash on a trigger, but I don't trust it to hold my camera especially out in the elements.

I have an A1 and focal lengths from 28-210 with 2x and 3x extenders. I've got a 500/1000mm f8/f16 also. Should I even bring it? 400 ISO film OK? What brand?

Any other tips that I'm not thinking of that some of you sports photogs know about?

I am well versed in outdoors, so the food and water issue I have covered. Bug repellant and sunscreen I have stashed in my truck.

Thanks for the help,

Tim