I did a 3 Hour mountain bike race today. You do as many laps as you can in 3 hours. It's a new format in this area. There have been 6 and 12 hour races around here for the last 10+ years. 3 Hour races started taking off in 2013.
I know this trail well b/c it's one of my favorite places to ride. At 10.5 miles/lap I knew that I would do 2. I did, and my time was good enough for 3rd place in the Solo Female 30-39 division! Two of my friends got 1-2. It was fun to be on the podium with them!
I forgot to add....I ride with "L," who won, every week on my regular group rides. She is fast, but she doesn't race (and she is one of the nicest people you will ever meet!). In endurance races, you can set up a tent/EZ-Up in the "pit" area. People bring chairs, coolers, and hang out. L decided to stop at her tent, sit down, and eat a sandwich in between her laps. I scolded her for not also having an adult beverage. It may have given "K" and I a slight advantage....L is really fast, and I hope she'll join us at some more races.