The morning of the race, Hippomenes lined up at the starting line with Atalanta. At the sound of the trumpets, they were off, running fast.

Atalanta immediately took the lead and Hippomenes could not get ahead of her. Then he thought of the gold apples in his pocket. He took one and threw it so it landed in front of her. Atalanta saw the shining apple and decided she could easily pick it up. As she slowed down, Hippomenes ran past her.

But Atalanta wasn’t worried. Soon she was beside him again. Hippomenes took out the second apple. Once again, he threw it in front of her and Atalanta slowed to pick it up. Hippomenes passed her for the second time.

Now they were nearing the finish line. Atalanta had caught up to Hippomenes and was about to pass him. Desperately, Hippomenes took out the third gold apple and flung it toward the side of the path. This time, Atalanta had to swerve and stop to pick it up. Hippomenes ran faster and crossed the finish line a split second before her.

“I hope you enjoy your apples,” Hippomenes said with a smile as Atalanta stopped beside him. Only then did she realize that she had been tricked.

“I shouldn’t have been so sure that I would win,” she replied. “You’re very fast. If I hadn’t stopped for the apples, we might have tied for first place.”

Atalanta liked the thought of someone running as fast as she could run. She happily agreed to marry Hippomenes, and from then on, the two always ran as equals.