Some members of the two teams, made up of one racing team sponsored by St. George Running Center, ran the Ragnar Relay Del Sol in Arizona and won it by 42 minutes. The group fielded two full teams for the Wasatch Back. They finished second and third, losing to BYU's cross country team by just 35 minutes.

Catering to teams that are so diverse in ability can be difficult for race organizers.

"There are certain challenges because of that different spectrum of runners, but we try and educate everyone as to what's available and what they need to bring for themselves," said Tanner Bell, co-founder of the Ragnar Relay Race Series. "We provide as much support as we can, but teams need to make sure they're self-supportive, too."

This year's Wasatch Back had more community support than ever, even as the number of participants doubled to 578 teams, which is about 7,000 runners.

Residents of the towns along the race route not only offered runners water, candy and other snacks, but during the 96-degree heat, they also set up sprinklers and hoses to help the runners out. For the less competitive, stopping to eat in Morgan Park or at North Summit High was part of the charm and excitement of the event. For the more competitive squads, the thrill of competition, as well as camaraderie, were the attractions.

One person asked Pachev on his blog why so many runners had stomach issues in those races. He said, in effect, most participants worry too much about food and not enough about rest.

"People think they have to eat normal meals, and they mean American normal meals too," he wrote to one blogger. "You are guaranteed stomach problems in a race like this if you think you are going to a party rather than a death march."

Sleep and hunger issues make the mileage more challenging than it would normally be.

"Sleep deprivation is the hardest part of those relays," said Pachev, who is 35.

Pachev finds it helpful to be on the road with other runners, regardless of their reasons for being there.

"That actually makes it fun," he said of the variety of different runners. "In the middle of a hard leg ... running at 12:30 a.m. I was feeling tired, and then I see all of these runners who started earlier in the day, but they're coming fast. Even though I'm hurting I think, 'It must not be that bad.'"

Sunderland said the Loco Lugnuts, who finished in 221st place, keep track of roadkills (people passed during the race), because it is so motivating.

"When there were only 22 teams, you'd run and run and never even see anyone else," he said. "Now there is a better opportunity for roadkills."

But it's not all about besting other runners. Most everyone loves the chance to socialize as much as they enjoy competing.

"I liked having the higher numbers because there are a lot more teams to socialize with," Sunderland said. "More teams makes it more fun."