As the students surged forward into the forest, the pack stretched almost immediately, some breaking away from the mass within the first moments of the run. Footsteps thundered against packed earth as the more athletic among them carved out an early lead, their forms weaving swiftly between trees as they pressed deeper into the woods. The opening stretch of the course wasted no time revealing its nature; within the first several meters, the terrain narrowed into winding dirt paths that twisted sharply through dense clusters of tall trees.
The paths were just wide enough to allow running, but only barely. Branches hung low and jutted outward without warning, scraping shoulders, snagging sleeves, and punishing any lapse in awareness. Exposed roots crisscrossed the ground at irregular intervals, some thick and raised, others half-buried and slick with damp soil, forcing constant adjustments in footing. There was no rhythm to rely on here—only reflex, balance, and focus.
