This huge banner on the front of Portland Meadows (facing a big parking lot) attracted the eye of one athlete as we left: "Hold on while I go get it."

The racetrack later held a schedule of horse races, starting at 5 p.m.

In the warmth of enclosed viewing area, spectators could watch the races. Monitors showed other horse races around the country. Outside it was in the mid 40s, with complete overcast. No wind, thankfully.

Pete Magill and Brian Pope (here looking through his bag) would later battle in the men's 10K race.

From behind a window in the grandstands one could watch in comfort as the women's masters slogged through the infield of the racetrack.

Athletes crossing to the infield course were greeted with this humbling sight.

Sunk in mud, runners were to find slow going themselves. If you see the final results, take into consideration the conditions -- and the fact runners often ran perhaps a half-mile further overall to avoid the deepest muck.

Nike Farm Teamer Adam Goucher pursues eventual winner Jorge Torres in the men's open 10K race.

This gentleman, named Eric Clifton, told me he made his own tights. He said he was unhappy with the dark-colored ones available.

A handful of half-nekked UC Davis fans screamed, "Go Aggies!" and waved a flag in support of their own team in the open men's race.

These guys did as much running back and forth as the competitors. Only way to stay warm.

If you're gonna be a fan, might as well be fanatical.

Dave Clingan and Nolan Shaheed, both in their 50s, dropped down to the M40 age group to compete for the SoCal Track Club. This shot was taken in hopes that mud would splatter them well for a post-race shot.

And they're off! The first stretch of the course was gooey, yucky, slippery grass -- although the wise ones in the masters field wore half-inch spikes.

Although other races had some spills and chills, the men's masters race came off pretty safely.

A strange feature of this 6-loop course was a series of three or four short hills, spaced close together. Athletes griped that they were too close and killed their momentum.

Eventual masters winner Brian Pope (center) just cruised easily in the first few laps. The front-runner here (who I don't know) eventually fell way back. Daniel Evans (I think) at right ended up second.

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M55 Nolan Shaheed was the SoCal Club's No. 4 man in the five-member M40 team -- even though his specialty is the half-mile.

Runners come off the last of the moguls. Another feature of the race was hay bales on the other side of the loop. But most runners simply skipped right over them. Few stepped on them.

More moguls. A few people fell, including the No. 3 finisher in the men's race, Pete Magill, who accidentally caught a spike at the top. He says he had the air knocked out of him but felt compelled to get up due to team considerations.