For race four, there was again a slight headwind and the same sand condition (3/5) and weather condition (4/5) as there was for Race 3. The similar conditions could be of benefit to the marbles, who have already raced in this environment and may now know some tricks to overcome the previous hurdles. Commentator Greg Woods did note that the track was still in less-than-ideal condition. This meant that the marbles must maintain laser focus on their fellow marbles, their technique and on the finish line. Nobody said the sand rally was going to be easy. (Spoilers for Race 4 below.)

 The line-up, from one to 16, consisted of Cobra (COB), Silver Bolt (SBO), Cool Moody (CMO), Reflektor (REF), Lollipop (LOP), Pollo Loco (POL), Wisp of Darkness (WOD), Superball (SUP), Grasshopper (GRA), Slimer (SLI), Amethyst (AME), Ducktape (DUC), Blizzard Blaster (BBL), Crazy Cat’s Eye (CCE), Red Number 3 (RN3) and Ghost Plasma (GHO).

 REF gained an immediate strong lead at the start of the race, with Race 3 winner GHO right on the marble’s heels. Newcomer AME continued strong in third place, though far behind REF and GHO. BBL did not finish (DNFed) only 25.70 seconds into the race, clearly caught off guard by the difficult weather conditions.

At 33.36 seconds, GHO passed REF for the lead change, moving quickly into first place still with a considerable amount of distance between the two and the rest of the competitors. DUC steadily surpassed the other marbles, snatching the third-place position from AME. Unfortunately, LOP made the second DNF of the race, with RN3 following suit shortly after and also DNFing. We are told that LOP is okay and will make a full recovery. To have so many DNFs makes for a disastrous season, spelling nothing but trouble for the rest of the season. 

The DNFing trend continued as the marbles hurdled towards the finish line, with WOD, CCE and GRA all careening off of the course at one of the obstacles 1:41.42 minutes into the race—and just before the final stretch, too. COB briefly left the course from a bit of sand friction, but the experienced marble was able to regain its senses and return to the course to finish the race.

REF maintained a steady lead over the other marbles by this point, clearly growing comfortable in first place. GHO clearly noticed this subtle shift, blazing forward and taking the lead right under REF’s nose at 1:50.56 minutes in. By the end of the race, GHO was able to snatch first place, with REF coming in second and DUC in third. POL moved forward from the middle of the pack and took fourth place, with AME following behind in fifth. 

We are continuing to see the same marbles at the head of the pack by Race 4, noting a trend in which marbles can navigate the course better. (You can watch Race 4 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NapbtVM0g_A.)