Answer:
Part A. At least 6 hours
Part B. In less than 2.5 hours, Elijah will fall behind Mercedes
Part C. In over 2.5 hours, Elijah will lead Aubrey
Step-by-step explanation:
D = distance
v = speed
t = time
Formula connecting D, v, and t:

Part A.
Steve's speed: 
Distance: a minimum of 21 miles
Time: unknown, so
![3.5\cdot t\ge 21\\ \\35t\ge 210\ [\text{Multiplied by 10}]\\ \\t\ge \dfrac{210}{35}\\ \\t\ge \dfrac{30}{5}\\ \\t\ge 6](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=3.5%5Ccdot%20t%5Cge%2021%5C%5C%20%5C%5C35t%5Cge%20210%5C%20%5B%5Ctext%7BMultiplied%20by%2010%7D%5D%5C%5C%20%5C%5Ct%5Cge%20%5Cdfrac%7B210%7D%7B35%7D%5C%5C%20%5C%5Ct%5Cge%20%5Cdfrac%7B30%7D%7B5%7D%5C%5C%20%5C%5Ct%5Cge%206)
It would require Steve a minimum of 6 hours to traverse at least 21 miles on Day 1.
Part B.
Mercedes's speed: 
Elijah's speed: 
Elijah's Distance walked:
miles
Mercedes's Distance walked:
miles
Time: x hours
Mercedes is 2 miles ahead, therefore

Elijah will trail behind until

In 2.5 hours, Elijah will close the gap on Mercedes, and in less than 2.5 hours, Elijah will trail behind her.
Part C.
Aubrey's speed: 
Elijah's speed: 
Elijah's Distance walked:
miles
Aubrey's Distance walked:
miles
Time: x hours
At the beginning of Day 3, Elijah starts from Mile 42, while Aubrey begins at Mile 42.5.

Elijah will be ahead of Aubrey when
![D_E>D_A\\ \\42+3.2x> 42.5+3x\\ \\3.2x-3x>42.5-42\\ \\0.2x>0.5\\ \\2x>5\ [\text{Multiplied by 10}]\\ \\x>\dfrac{5}{2}\\ \\x>2.5\ hours](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=D_E%3ED_A%5C%5C%20%5C%5C42%2B3.2x%3E%2042.5%2B3x%5C%5C%20%5C%5C3.2x-3x%3E42.5-42%5C%5C%20%5C%5C0.2x%3E0.5%5C%5C%20%5C%5C2x%3E5%5C%20%5B%5Ctext%7BMultiplied%20by%2010%7D%5D%5C%5C%20%5C%5Cx%3E%5Cdfrac%7B5%7D%7B2%7D%5C%5C%20%5C%5Cx%3E2.5%5C%20hours)
In 2.5 hours, Elijah will surpass Aubrey, and after more than 2.5 hours, Elijah will outpace Aubrey.