The Republicans usually win the team scoring, as many of their runners finish ahead of Democrats. However, much to everyone's surprise, a Democrat often finishes first in the big race. Sometimes Republicans complain that their best runner didn't enter the race. You can even tell runners political leanings by the way they train. Republicans rigidly follow six-month marathon training programs, while Democrats take their training day by day.
Republicans are apt to overtrain and try to run through their injuries.
Even though they may not have trained much, Democrats still race. Democrats take days off without feeling guilty. Republicans always feel guilty when when they miss a day of running. Republicans don't crosstrain. Democrats enjoy crosstraining, sometimes neglecting their running to pursue another form of exercise.