Summary

Leslie is at Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee to witness the Barkley Marathon. This is an annual extreme race through the wilderness that less than ten people have ever finished. This year, Leslie's brother Julian is participating for the first time. The race was founded and is run by a somewhat eccentric man known as Laz, who runs designs the course somewhat according to his whims, though it always follows a similar pattern. The night before the race, participants and their supporters gather for a barbecue around a campfire and Leslie meets some of the race's participants who are all experienced with ultimate running. Two alumni who have previously completed the race, Blake and AT, are expected to do well again this year.

The next morning, Leslie watches Julian set off into the wilderness wearing homemade duct-tape chaps to protect himself...