There are no trails between the points so runners got to each point any way they could. The finish line is on the other side of the town of Kakul. You're running across village roofs, leaping fences, running through yards. You're scrambling your way through this centuries-old town, soaked with sweat, gasping for air. The wonderful thing is that the villagers all turn out to cheer you on.
Little kids point the way to the finish line.
The soldiers confronted other difficulties during the course. You know you should be hungry, and you know you should eat. But then two days go by and you realize you haven't eaten anything. You try to force down your rations, but nothing tastes good. You only get extremely nauseated.