Four Players/Teams try Five in a Row on Checker Board or Tarp

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To place five spots/pieces in a row before another team does.

A checker board grid with four sets of 12 same coloured markers (one set per each of the four players/teams)

Select a large or regular checker board and tape over on of the edge rows and edge columns. Place the board down.
Set up a start line about five paces from the four sides of a checker board--make it further away if you want to have the players run more.
Each player (or teams of three) has 12 spots of their colour on the ground at their start line.

At the signal to begin players take one spot and adds it anywhere on the board. Then runs back to pick up another spot and return to the board.
When the players return to the board for the second, third... time they may place their spot anywhere on the board.
Each player tries to get five in a row horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.
First player to do so is the winner.
Once all the spots have been used, and no one has won, players can pick up one of their pieces and place at atop an opponent's spot or in an empty spot (if a player's spot is covered it cannot be used until another team member removes the spot atop of theirs).
Play again and learn from previous game.

Questions for Understanding:
Is it better to play offensively, defensively, or a combination of the two? Why?
What mental challenge makes this game challenging for you?