Dusk Haven

I don't see anything solid about the future in this. It seems they are taking feedback, which is good.

Once everyone had lined up and the flag had swung, she ran over the rules in her head. No flying but a little magic for light, defense, or offer a little boost. That was fair. The race was about cleverness and endurance. A thought came to her and a whisper of magic encased the bottom of her hooves in spiked ice, acting as traction. That would be a little boost. It was a simple enough spell she used in winter when she walked over frozen lakes. If it was too much magic, she was sure she would have it called out by judges. One problem down. She looked ahead and noted all the other ponies blocking the trail. Well, that was easy enough to solve though it would solve the problem for the other contestants that were close to her too. Oh well, the trail was long and there would be other ways to pull ahead. She yelled out "Free bits to buy caramel apple slices!" She pulled her bit purse out, the one she had brought if there was a fee to participate in the race, from the bottom and flung most of its contents off the trail and by the closest vender which just so happened to sell said apple slices; the bits golden hue reflecting on what little sun could be seen from the gray sky. She watched as just enough ponies moved out of the way to collect their prize for her to weave through at a trot and, once through, icy spikes on her shoes, tore off at full gallop. She gave a nod to the Bat pony who's idea to buy boots was simple, but incredibly effective. He would be one to watch on the course later.

Dusk looked up as a plump raindrop fell on her head near the base of her horn. The sky was darkening but no lightening, at least not yet. She used her magic to pull the hood of her cloak over head. Just another storm in the countless she had traveled through before. She raised her leg as the dirt slowly changed to mud. The ground was largely flat and lacked good traction. The first step of this race would be to not fall down. Cool. She was good at that. She glimpsed at the other runners and took note of each, just in case some healing was needed on some lonely parts of the trail where maybe help couldn't see. She tested the ground again and anchored herself well. The rain fell more steady, but it was still shy. She whipped her tail and flung the water out of it. Wet tails were awful. She looked up to the sky, said some words quietly to herself, and focused on the trail. The green flag was raised before her and a devilish grin formed. Once @Dynamo Pad yelled out "GO", it was off to the races.