Brian Szydlik and Adrian Broca have never met. Both are 37 and accomplished endurance athletes. This weekend, Broca will fly from Los Angeles to compete in Sunday’s California International Marathon, while Szydlik will make a shorter trip from his Folsom residence. And when Szydlik sets foot on the course, it will effectively be as an extension of Broca.

Aaron Scheidies runs down Fair Oaks Boulevard at the 20-mile mark with his guide, Daniel Mitchell, on the way to winning the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes event in last year’s California International Marathon. Scheidies will run this year with Andrew Grant of Folsom.