These events take place before the Edolas arc.
It was a special day for the guild: The 24-Hour Marathon. It was a marathon where participants had to run around Magnolia for 24 hours without any breaks or stops. It was Sonic and Jet's favorite event, as both of them were fast. Every year, the winners were always either Sonic or Jet. Last year, Sonic won, and this time Jet was determined to win the race. The master announced that there was only one rule, as every year, and this year, the rule was not to use wings to fly. This was already a disadvantage for Happy and Evergreen, who used their wings to at least stay in the race in previous years.
Everyone was on the track. Sonic and Jet warmed up without saying a word. Erza wore jogging gear, claiming it would increase her speed. Natsu was excited as always, Lucy and Reby didn't want to participate, and Wendy was stressed while Carla calmed her down.
The start was announced, and everyone was thrown behind due to the explosive start of Sonic and Jet. They sped off, leaving dust behind them.
Sonic and Jet: This time, I'm going to win!
The others began to run.
Natsu: My turn, Dragon's Iron Fist!
Natsu pulled both of his hands back and surrounded them with flames, propelling himself ahead of the others, while the others ran in a group formation.
This year, the mages had to leave Magnolia, go into the mountains, collect dragon scales scattered by the master, and then return to the finish line. The journey was long, with a maximum duration of 24 hours running, hence the name of the competition. They had to pass through a canyon, then a forest, and finally reach the mountains and return.
All means were allowed, so the mages could set traps, like Fried who placed enchantments or Grey who froze the track.
Ellipsis (too lazy to explain, we'll skip to what happens after gathering the scales).
Sonic picked up a scale and had a brilliant idea. He closed his hands, and after a golden glow, a portal ring appeared... Jet, on his side, lay down near a tree, thinking it would be too easy to win.
The next morning, the mages had arrived back at Magnolia. It was time for the final sprint.
Meanwhile, Happy found Jet, who had fallen asleep in the forest.
Happy (shaking him): Jet, wake up, what are you doing here?
Jet (waking up): Huh, Happy? WAIT, DID I FALL ASLEEP?!
Happy: Everyone else is already gone, but I haven't seen Sonic.
Jet: I wonder what he's up to. Anyway, thanks a lot, Happy, but I need to go.
He dashed off towards the city, knocking Happy behind him. Within minutes, he caught up with Natsu, Erza, Grey, and Gajeel. They all sped toward the finish line, but Natsu tripped, knocking down Gajeel, who fell on Grey, who fell on Erza, who knocked over Jet, and they all tumbled in front of the finish line. Happy had followed them, then passed them, crossing the finish line. The crowd threw confetti everywhere and cheered in joy.
Happy: I won! I won!!!
Makarof: Congratulations, you came in second.
A silence fell.
Everyone: SECOND?!!
Natsu: What, who came in first?
Sonic: Guess.
They looked and saw Sonic coming toward them with a backpack.
Sonic: I've crossed the finish line a long time ago. You were so slow that I even went on a mission and came back.
Natsu: What? That's impossible?!
Sonic (showing him a ring): The only rule was not to use wings to fly. They didn't say anything about teleportation.
The others were left speechless, to the point that Wendy and Carla passed them and crossed the finish line.
Jet: Wait, this is a joke, right?!
The others, who were grouped together, rushed to avoid coming last and getting a penalty. Natsu and the others were crushed, except for Erza, who managed to sneak into the group. The master decided that the four of them were all tied and should receive a penalty, which was to pose in women's costumes for the Sorcerer. They fled upon hearing this.
Happy: Master, did we win a reward?
Makarof: But you already received it.
Happy: Really?
Makarof: The cheers from the crowd, that was the reward.
Happy: What? All that fuss for this? If I had known, I wouldn't have run.