They blast through the arboreal realm. By accident, they run over one another. Much of the action lies beyond the sight of followers, most of whom scurry from one place where the trail crosses a road to the next for glimpses of passing riders. But finally, it's uphill through a field to the finish line. Some clench their teeth, agonize up the climb and collapse into wet grass at the end.
Racers average two to three hours to finish.
Riders flock to the nearby revival tent, filled with boxes of halved apples, sliced oranges, cookies and electrolyte-laden sports drinks. A yellow, plastic, cartoon Road Runner head is mounted on his handlebars. He honked it throughout the race and as he crossed the finish. It's just an obnoxious thing to bother other racers when they get too uptight. Wiswell stays focused on race rewards that are more, shall we say, ethereal than a trophy.