One thing that I knew going in to this trip was that I would be meeting a bunch of new people. Dedicated, enthusiastic and hilarious, they quickly became like family to me. Also featured are some rare shots of yours truely. It's known among the die-hard adventure racers across the globe as the ultimate adventure race. With 81 teams of four, over 80 volunteers and countless production and race crew, it's also arguably the biggest. Unassuming tropical paradise? Not on your life. Fiji surprised us all, overwhelming the teams with its unrelenting terrain and its ever-changing weather. Even still, the island was always breathtaking. Here's proof. They were declared the winners of the Eco-Challenge Spirit Award. They offered advice, food and encouragement. They were the heart and soul of the race. The race became theirs, the fond memories ours.