"The committee want to put in a freak race first." The "freak" was a quarter mile, nearly go-as-you-please.

In this race each contestant had on his left skate, but no skate on the right foot.

The contestant who reached the finish line first won---"even if he slides on his back," Ben announced, sagely.
Tom Reade hurried onto the ice as one of the entrants in this race.

He had practiced it well, and won it easily, securing a silver medal.

Greg's prize had been a gold medal, but over this fact Tom allowed himself to feel no envy or disappointment.
Several other events came along in quick succession.