A man waits anxiously against the reflection of the crowd at the 2026 Crim Festival of Races on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Janvier Snead III for Flintside.
FLINT, Michigan – The Crim Festival of Races and its valiant participants raced on despite the deterring weather. Arriving early in the morning, racers, volunteers, and guests were met with continual rain, luminous clouds, and booming lightning.
Local policemen, Blueline bakers, and veteran percussionists alike arrived prepared for the races ahead.
Some, like Mrs. 1257, have been showing up for 15 years. Even after delays and the cancellation of the 10-mile, everyone carried on through the trial despite their disabilities.
Walking alongside the hundreds of walkers, runners, and wheelers can uplift anyone, as friends were made, families reunited, and community was strengthened.
The 2026 Crim Festival of Races showcased the whole of Flint, not just the professional runners who have what it takes.
Mrs. 1257 waits inside the UofM Pavilion for the 10-mile race to start on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Janvier Snead III for Flintside.A group of volunteers talks as they wait at the 2026 Crim Festival of Races on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Janvier Snead III for Flintside.Iridescent blues and reds glow as police cars park in the rain at the 2026 Crim Festival of Races on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Janvier Snead III for FlintsideParticipant stands happily at the finish line, a wooden walking cane in each hand, at the 2026 Crim Festival of Races on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Janvier Snead III for Flintside.Participant embraces with family on the sideline at the 2026 Crim Festival of Races on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Janvier Snead III for Flintside.Participant happily holds the Crim 49th annual award at the 2026 Crim Festival of Races on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Janvier Snead III for Flintside.A woman waits for their walker to cross the line at the 2026 Crim Festival of Races on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Janvier Snead III for Flintside.Police help a participant recover at the 2026 Crim Festival of Races on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Janvier Snead III for Flintside.A joyful walker smiles and presses on at the 2026 Crim Festival of Races on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Janvier Snead III for Flintside.Hundreds trail along Stevenson Street at the 2026 Crim Festival of Races on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Janvier Snead III for Flintside.A young man and girls smile on their journey through Flint at the 2026 Crim Festival of Races on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Janvier Snead III for Flintside.An army of feet marches forward at the 2026 Crim Festival of Races on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Janvier Snead III for Flintside.Runner reaches out to her friends and family as she moves through the contestants at the 2026 Crim Festival of Races on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Janvier Snead III for Flintside.Runner charges forward, her smile open with boundless energy at the 2026 Crim Festival of Races on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Janvier Snead III for Flintside.The 10-milers place one foot forward on the threshold at the 2026 Crim Festival of Races on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Janvier Snead III for Flintside.Young Runner steps forth, preparing for the 10-mile race at the 2026 Crim Festival of Races on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Janvier Snead III for Flintside.A man waits anxiously against the reflection of the crowd at the 2026 Crim Festival of Races on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Janvier Snead III for Flintside.
Janvier Snead III is an emerging photographer and artist with an eye for composing people and place within photos. Recently graduated from Mott Community College, Janvier expanded into studio work after 3 years of on-the-ground street photography across five cities. Now he works with Flintside to capture the uprising community of Flint, Michigan.
On his own, Janvier primarily photographs architecture, people, and food. Nowadays, he experiments with cyanotypes, cooks for his family, and immerses himself in arts from culinary to architecture.
