Ben Rayner's Mud, Sweat & Tears zine captures teenage runners at Nike Cross Nationals
Ben Rayner, a photographer based in New York, has unveiled a 58-page zine titled Mud, Sweat & Tears, which chronicles the 2025 Nike Cross Nationals (NXN), the foremost high school cross country championship in the United States. This publication, created in collaboration with Good Sports, showcases 400 young athletes from across the nation competing in Portland. Combining black-and-white and color photography shot on film, the zine incorporates writing by Paul Snyder alongside a graphic design that mirrors the athletes' uniforms. Drawing inspiration from 1970s running magazines, Rayner captures poignant moments filled with pre-race anxiety, sweat, mud, tears, and camaraderie. His experience in music documentary and portrait photography includes work with stars like Finn Wolfhard and rapper YG. The zine can be purchased at benrayner.com and goodsport.studio.
Key facts
- Ben Rayner's Mud, Sweat & Tears is a 58-page zine documenting the 2025 Nike Cross Nationals (NXN).
- NXN is America's premier high school cross country championship.
- The zine features 400 teenage athletes from across the United States.
- The event took place in Portland.
- The zine was published with Good Sports.
- It includes writing by Paul Snyder and color-blocked graphic design.
- The project was shot on film, inspired by 1970s running magazines.
- Rayner has photographed celebrities including Finn Wolfhard, YG, J. Mascis, and Bowen Yang.
Entities
Artists
- Ben Rayner
- Paul Snyder
- Finn Wolfhard
- YG
- J. Mascis
- Bowen Yang
Institutions
- Good Sports
- Nike Cross Nationals (NXN)
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Portland