The atomic and space 'races' were advertised to confer decisive geopolitical advantages on the countries that possessed them. Clearly that didn't happen. The Soviets got their bomb four years after the US, and similarly the US caught up with the Soviets in space. Neither enjoyed a decisive advantage.
More importantly, their 'race' didn't prevent others from developing their own bombs and space capabilities.
More importantly, their 'race' didn't prevent others from developing their own bombs and space capabilities.