1. The lead group makes its way up one of many hills at the Cross Country Challenge on Sunday. Despite sub-freezing temperatures, about 1,000 more runners were on the paths behind them.

2. All throughout the rugged 8K course, there is seldom any sure footing at this participant discovered the hard way.

3. Bring on the frostbite! The fun and challenging nauture of this event brings out the crazy spirit in many runners, including those who are defiant of the cold.

4. As if the snow, ice and hills weren't enough, there are several points on the course where runners have to duck under or scale over fences and other obstacles.

5. The cold couldn't stop overall race champion Emisael Favela of Chicago, who conquered the course in 29:23.

6. The top women's finisher was Champaign's Melissa Bosslet, completing the course in 35:13.

7. Wheaton's Jeffrey Friedman enjoyed the challenge, giving the event a couple thumbs up. He finished the race in 49:53.

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