This is interesting, as the Spanish term is 'fondista' someone who does races that are 'de fondo', 'long-distance', but literally more like 'from the depths'. 'Of great magnitude, and requiring you to dig deep into your reserves'.

'Fondo' is essentially the same word as 'hondo', but from the other side of the f/h shift typical of how Spanish evolved from its Romance roots.

'Fondo' is the noun, 'base', 'bottom', while 'hondo' is the adjective 'deep' in modern Spanish.

So the very similar 'hondo' could almost make sense in Spanish with the same meaning, while having come about from a completely different root and route.

All roads lead to Santiago! Via the fondas, or inns, along the way.

¡Buen camino, Debra!