I'm not sure as the story isn't described here, but usually in a race - related story, there would be the racers themselves. They could be athletes with different personalities and backstories.
One main theme could be competition and its aftermath. After the race, the characters might experience a range of emotions like victory, defeat, or disappointment. Another theme could be self - discovery. Through the experience of the race, the characters may learn something new about themselves.
One of the key aspects of 'After the Race' is the way Joyce portrays the characters' relationships. The race is not just a sporting event but a backdrop for the relationships to develop and deteriorate. The young Irish characters' naivete is contrasted with the more worldly and perhaps jaded foreigners. Through the description of their conversations and actions, we can see how social status and money play a role in shaping these relationships, and how ultimately, the characters are left with a sense of disillusionment.
The story could be about a spy who has to steal important documents from a highly - guarded facility. To do this, he uses a prototype teleportation device. But there's a time limit on how long the device can hold the teleportation link. He manages to teleport into the facility, but on his way out, he gets delayed. Now he has to race against time to get back through the teleportation link before it closes and he's trapped inside the enemy's lair.
Well, without actually reading the story, it could be about a major race event. Maybe it's a horse race, or a running race among people. There could be different characters competing, each with their own motives and backstories.
In 'the big race short story', the main characters are likely to be those directly involved in the race. There could be a young and ambitious racer who has been training hard for this event. There might also be an experienced racer who serves as a sort of mentor or rival to the younger one. And of course, there could be a race organizer or a coach who plays an important role in guiding the racers. For example, the coach could give crucial advice to the racer on how to handle different parts of the race track.
The main idea could be about the competition and the various characters involved in the big race. It might focus on their preparation, their goals, and the challenges they face during the race.