Ray's figure at the finish line became clearer with each step. He stood with a clipboard, a stern expression on his face, evaluating our performance. I knew he was looking for more than just who finished first; he was assessing our determination, endurance, and ability to push through adversity.
With one final, desperate push, I surged forward, my vision narrowing to a tunnel with the finish line at the end. Sunny was right there with me, both of us giving it everything we had. Adrian was just behind, his own sprint relentless.
We crossed the finish line almost simultaneously, our bodies collapsing onto the ground as soon as we reached the other side. The cold from the river, the pain in our muscles, and the sheer exhaustion of the ordeal all hit at once, but there was also a profound sense of accomplishment.
