Read the following information carefully and answer the questions that follow.

Eight athletes P, Q, R, S, U, W, K and M participated in a running race, with each finishing in a unique position. W finished last. U finished immediately ahead of W and immediately behind Q. R finished ahead of K, but behind no other runner. M finished ahead of S but behind P, while K finished ahead of P.

Who finished in the second position?

To determine who finished in the second position, let us analyze the given information step-by-step to establish the order of all eight runners from 1st (first) to 8th (last position).

Step 1: Identify the fixed positions based on explicit statements.

1. There are 8 total positions: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th.
2. "W finished last."
So, 8th position = W.
3. "U finished immediately ahead of W and immediately behind Q."
Since W is 8th, U must be 7th, and Q must be 6th.
So, 7th position = U and 6th position = Q.
4. "R finished ahead of K, but behind no other runner."
Finished behind no other runner means R finished 1st.
So, 1st position = R.

Step 2: Determine the positions of the remaining runners.

We are left with 4 open positions: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th.
The remaining runners to be placed are K, P, M, and S.
Let us look at the remaining ordering conditions given in the problem:
• "R finished ahead of K" (R is 1st, so K comes somewhere after 1st).
• "K finished ahead of P" (K > P).
• "M finished ahead of S but behind P" (P > M > S).

Combining these relative conditions gives the strict chain order:
K finished ahead of P, P finished ahead of M, and M finished ahead of S.
Therefore, the relative sequence for these four runners must be:
K > P > M > S.

Step 3: Assemble the complete order from 1st to 8th position.

1st position: R
2nd position: K
3rd position: P
4th position: M
5th position: S
6th position: Q
7th position: U
8th position: W

Thus, the athlete who finished in the second position is K.

The correct answer is K.