Instead of taking slow, deep breaths, he breathed rapidly, pumping his lungs full of air.
That _rapid_ deep breathing started his heart to working faster, sent the blood bounding through his arteries.
It would have been exhausting if carried out too long.

But now, on what was left of the home stretch, it acted almost like pumping oxygen into his lungs.
Swiftly the distance melted.
"Hurrah!" rang the yell.

"There goes Prescott ahead!" Not only ahead, but gaining in the lead.

Five yards to the good, then ten, twelve, fifteen.

Dick Prescott shot over the finish line a good eighteen yards ahead.