In the ancient days of the Inca Empire, a sacred and powerful ritual marked the transition from youth to adulthood. It was a tradition that resonated through the ages, an ordeal that forged character and destiny. At the heart of this transformative rite lay the arduous long-distance footraces, etching the path to adulthood in the sacred soil of Cuzco. As the young Inca individuals embarked on their journey of self-discovery, they undertook a marathon-like race that would test their physical prowess and spiritual fortitude. It was a race of endurance and determination, with the shimmering eyes of the great city's populace upon them. The finish line, a threshold to a new life, beckoned them like a distant star in the night sky. Before they could claim the symbolic mantle of adulthood, the participants had to traverse the challenging course that wound through the very heart of Cuzco. The grandeur of the city bore witness to their transformation, and the Emperor or Empress, the living embodiment of divine power, awaited at the culmination of their journey. It was in this momentous event that they transitioned from youth to adulthood. As each one crossed the finish line, they would don a breech cloth, their ears pierced by the hand of the reigning ruler, and a new name bestowed upon them, one that resonated with the spirits of their ancestors and the destiny that awaited. The top ten runners, those whose spirits burned brightest in the crucible of the race, were granted the honor of wearing special garments, their victory celebrated with exultation. Their names would forever be written in the annals of Inca history, and their accomplishment would shine as a radiant star in their adult lives, a testament to their strength and resilience. Yet, on the flip side of triumph lay the shadow of failure. The last ten participants to cross the finish line were not spared from the gaze of the divine and earthly alike. They, too, were clothed in special garments, but these were garments of shame, a stark reminder of their defeat. In the eyes of Inca society, their misfortune was seen as a foreboding omen for their future, a reflection of the challenges they would face in the path ahead. Thus, the long-distance footraces of the Inca became more than a physical trial; they were a profound spiritual journey, a passage from youth to adulthood, and a window into the complex interplay of destiny, honor, and the watchful eyes of the ancient Incan Empire.