who was algernon? what race did charlie have with algernon? who won?

Algernon is the white laboratory mouse who was the original test of the experiment that was later performed on Charlie. This mouse becomes three times as smart as all other mice and is able to solve complex puzzles. Algernon keeps winning the maze races until Charlie figures out how to win,

"I beet Algernon. I dint even know I beet him until Burt Selden told me. Then the second time I lost because I got so excited. But after that I beet him 8 more times. I must be getting smart to beat a smart mouse like Algernon. But I dont feel smarter." pg 22