“It was fantastic,” said Laurel Mayor Mark Mace, who came up with the idea for the dangerously alluring event, which he hopes will become an annual affair. “Sure, some people were hurt, but we’re a tough bunch, and everyone agreed it was great for Laurel.”

The herd of 30 bison, loaned to Laurel for the day by cable news magnate Ted Turner, thundered into town down East Main Street, after being unloaded from cattle cars in the Laurel train yard.

Driven by a group of volunteer cowboys from Brockway, the shaggy behemoths charged through downtown Laurel while 15 to 20 local daredevils ran for their lives ahead of the unpredictable and surprisingly fleet animals.

By: Ed Kemmick