Competitors from around the world came to San Diego this weekend to shape and scrape temporary works of art during the U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge.
The annual competition at the B Street Pier downtown draws famous sculptors who spend four days on their creations.
There was an ode to Labor Day with "The Rat Race" sculpture, which showed a city skyline mixed with pieces of cheese. The 10-ton sculpture won first prize in the team competition.
Another, fitting with this year's theme of the Summer Olympics, showed the tunnel vision and focus a sprinter needs to finish a race.
The creator, Melineige Beauregard from Quebec, took home the grand prize of $7,000.
Event organizer Gordon Summer said Beauregard "is absolutely one of the best in the world."
"She won first place, she won People's Choice, she won Sculptor's Choice," he said. "That's a hat trick for any sculptor to win that in a lifetime."
Artist Fergus Mulvany of Ireland said his sculpture of a runner, "Threshold of Momentum," was inspired by the animated film "The Animatrix."
"The animation is so fluid and really gnarly when the runner is almost hitting the finish line, everything goes crazy and a bit wobbly and abstract," he said.
Out of 25 sculptures on display, the most attention grabbing was called "Bruce Gender." It's a nod to Olympic decathlon winner Bruce Jenner, now Caitlyn Jenner, the most famous transgender person in the world.
More than 300 tons of sand mixed with clay was brought to the pier for the annual event, now in its 36th year.
