Marc Kauffman called Brucie Rosch in April to do an opener illustration for the July Runner's World magazine.

Article subject: making hill training your friend.

They tossed a few ideas around and Brucie sent sketches. Marc liked the hills running up hills the best and after a little tightening, details and composition work, Brucie went to final. What Brucie liked about this: "Marc's great art direction and my 'aha' moment of using pine trees as hair."