Mike K. Miller was about 45 yards from the finish line of the Reno-Tahoe Odyssey and Team Nutz was waiting for him.
The crew formed a human tunnel and Miller running right under their arms before crossing the line, finishing the 178-mile relay race that circumnavigates Lake Tahoe in 18 hours and 34 minutes.
It was the proper climax for the team that won the title.
"This is a really fun group of guys," captain of Team Nutz, Stephen Pottey said. "We're all friends and we had a blast out there."
Team Runny Bums finished in second for the second straight year, and Cupcake Pirates finished third overall and first among the all-female division.
Each of the runners scribble "Nutz" on their chest with most running shirtless. And each had their own nick name.
There was Emerald, Lug, Monster, Rusty, Salty, Big Ol', Deez, Harry, Spicy, Dragon, Jig and Oui Oui.
Appropriately the team was eating doughnuts after the race and a few of them even dipped their legs in the Truckee River, which helps the muscles heal, but considering the water temperature could be considered crazy.
The team consisted mostly of Northern Nevada runners and some from the Bay Area, New Zealand, South Dakota and Seattle.
"Can't wait for next year," Pottey said.
The first team to officially finish at Idlewild Park was the four-man ultra-team, The Four Horsemen.
Nick Bingham was the anchor of the team and completed 45 miles by himself. Despite most teams carrying 12 runners, The four-man team Four Horseman finished fourth.
"We all feel like winners," said Bingham, who was joined by teammates Jeff Huxhold, Fred Zalokar and Ross McMahon.
Bingham was greeted by his family at the finish line and his daughter made him a sign that read, "You're a winner," with a stick-figure portrayed as dad.
The Four Horseman was a byproduct of team Battle Born, which won five of the six Reno-Tahoe Odysseys. Battle Born retired after last season and some of the runners formed or joined other teams. Team Nutz had runners from Battle Born.
All the runners were greeted by about 300 observers at Idlewild. Each team gathered after the final runner completed the race at the ceremonial finish line to get a picture taken.
