This year more than 500 people from 41 countries are taking part in the 40, 000-mile relay race, which started in August 2011 and is set to finish later this month.

CNN: July 12, 2012 -- Updated 1330 GMT (2130 HKT)

Business execution is like an intricate, multi-faceted relay race.

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In the last day of London's swimming competition, the American women won the 4x100-meter medley relay race, setting a new world record with a time of 3:52.05.

CNN: Phelps nets gold in last race; British hosts bank six

In Olympic Stadium, meanwhile, America's top female sprinters outpaced their Jamaican competitors to earn gold in the prestigious 4 x 100-meter relay -- though their long dominant countrymen fell just short in the 4 X 400-meter men's race.

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England's women gained a silver medal at Canada's expense in the 4x100m freestyle relay , Friday's finale, as the Canadians - who finished the race in second place - found themselves disqualified for a takeover offence.

BBC: Commonwealth Games: Three golds for English swimmers

In the men's 4-by-400-meter relay, the Bahamas' Ramon Miller passed American Angelo Taylor in the race's final 100 meters, taking the gold medal while the U.S. settled for silver.

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But history on Saturday also favored the leaders, as the most decorated Olympian of all time tallied another win with his American teammates in the 4 x 100-meter medley relay, handing Michael Phelps his 18th gold medal in the last race of his storied swimming career.

CNN: Phelps nets gold in last race; British hosts bank six