Atalanta was an unwanted child. She was a girl, you see, and her father had wanted a son.

"She's of no use to me. Hardly worth bringing up. Take her to the mountains and leave her there to die, said her father." So the servants did as they were told.

They abandoned the baby on a cold, lonely mountainside.  That would have been the end of Atalanta, were it not for the kindness of an animal, a she-bear who warmed the baby with her own furry body and nursed her with her own milk.

She confronted him. 
"You owe me a home and a good name."
"Hmmm ... You are the swiftest runner in the land; you have achieved fame as a huntress; and you have conquered Peleus, a great hero, in a wrestling match. Perhaps you are almost as good as a son." 
Atalanta, however, was far from being a son. Despite her rough nature, she was a lovely creature, though quite difficult to manage.

Because of this, her father soon grew weary of her and insisted upon finding her a husband. But Atalanta did not want a husband. Finally, to appease her tiresome father, she agreed to marry the man who could outrun her, knowing full well that no such man existed.  To discourage suitors, she added a condition:

"Lose the race; lose your life."  

However, many young men, charmed by Atalanta's beauty and agility, accepted the challenge. And died for it.

 "Heartless wench!"

 Then one day a young man arrived to watch Atalanta run.  His name was Melanion. He would never be as foolish as the others; running a race that was sure to end in death.  

But when he saw the beautiful Atalanta; the swift, sure movements of her lithe body, her silken tresses riding on the wind . . . 

Melanion fell in love.  Ignoring his folly, he challenged her.  When Atalanta saw Melanion; the handsome, sun-bronzed, captivating creature that he was . .

She, too, fell in love.  Just a little bit.  She tried to dissuade him. "Do you know how many have died already? Must you add yourself to the lot?"

"You are worth it. "

So the day was set for Melanion's race. Now Melanion did not really   want to lose his life. So he prayed to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, for help.  When the day of the race arrived, Melanion appeared at the  starting Iine with three golden apples hidden in his tunic, gifts of the goddess Aphrodite.  Atalanta's heart fluttered at the sight of god-like Melanion, ready to run for his life.

This,perhaps, slightly weakened her.

Well, maybe only slightly...

What she didn't know was that Melanion's exhaustion was a sham. As she again approached from behind, ready to overtake him, he stepped out swiftly, reaching the finish line just an instant ahead of her.  

"You tricked me." 

"You loved it."

"You're right. I did.  
Melanion and Atalanta were married, 
and lived happily everafter.