Kurahara Kakeru runs through the city streets at night. A single man chases after him on a bicycle. That man’s name is Kiyose Haiji. When Haiji catches up to Kakeru, he asks him a question: "Hey, do you like running?" Led by Haiji, Kakeru arrives at the Chikusei-so student dorm. He meets the strange residents living there. Haiji behaves in a peremptory manner. Kakeru is bewildered by the sudden development. No one at the dorm is aware of Haiji’s ulterior motive. That night, the residents hold a welcoming party for Kakeru. At the party, from Haiji’s mouth comes a grand and reckless plan. How will Kakeru respond…?

The residents of the Chikusei-so go to Tokyo Sport University in order to attend their first track meet. While there, Kakeru is reunited with his old teammate Sakaki Kosuke. Sakaki persistently attempts to provoke Kakeru. When Haiji tries to stop them, a man calls out to him. That man is the champion of Hakone and Rikudo University’s ace, Fujioka Kazuma.

Haiji suddenly faints. The residents realize how Haiji has been supporting them, and Nico-chan encourages Kakeru and Prince to reconcile. However, the stubborn boys refuse to bridge the gap. The next day, Shindo suggests that the team pick a temporary captain. When all the older members refuse, Kakeru agrees to do the job. Desperate to do something about Prince, Kakeru follows him around while nagging him. Prince’s opposition increases in response. As the residents are unable to even feed themselves, someone comes to extend a helping hand…

The Kansei University track team runs into Tokyo Sport University at Lake Shirakaba, where they’re holding their training camp. Sakaki insistently provokes Kakeru over his past actions. Pushes to his limit, Kakeru grabs ahold of him, but his friends come between them before anything can happen. Later they begin their grueling practice, but Kakeru can’t stop recalling heavy memories from his high school days: a cruel past that pushed a group of elite runners to their breaking point. Recalling how he chose his own destruction, Kakeru agonizes over his past. That night, the sky is full of stars. Haiji appears next to Kakeru as he’s hanging around by himself…

A runner from another school trips and falls right in front of Haiji. Fortunately, he’s able to avoid crashing into him, but he puts all his weight on his right leg. The fall causes a commotion at the water station. The cold rain mercilessly pounds down on the runners and the fans watching over them. Eventually the races moves into the city streets, and the runners’ race for survival accelerates.

The Kansei University track team miraculously makes it through the qualifier. The team is inundated by club applicants and interview requests. Despite them, Haiji calmly focuses on preparing for the race. However, Jota and Joji suddenly begin to oppose him. "Haiji’s fooling us, isn’t he?" What misgivings weigh heavily on their minds?

The Tokyo-Hakone Round-Trip College Ekiden Race finally begins. Haiji was right, and Section 1 moves at a slow pace while the teams try to feel each other out. Prince, who bears the heavy responsibility of starting the race, takes up his position behind the other runners and conserves his strength. It’s all part of Haiji’s plan to take the top. Haiji also sends a message to Prince through Tazaki in the coach’s vehicle and heads to the Tsurumi Relay Station where Musa waits. The group raises its pace. Prince desperately hangs on. And in the back of his mind, he recalls a conversation he once had with Haiji…

Hanako cheers for him on the sidelines. Pieces of memories run through his head. Finally realizing his romantic feelings, Jota accelerates and climbs in the standings. As the older twin passes the sash to his younger brother, Joji is informed about Hanako’s feelings and becomes distracted. The sudden Hanako panic leaves the other members of the team disconcerted as well. In order to get the race back on track, Kakeru asks Tazaki to deliver a message. Meanwhile, Haiji calls Shindo, who has arrived at the relay station. Their time feels simultaneously too long and too short. A tragic resolve spreads through Shindo’s burning, feverish body…

His teammates faced death to pass the sash along. Bearing that weight in his mind, Yuki prepares for the race. Shindo approaches him. Turning his overflowing anxiety and regrets into strength, Yuki waits for the race to start. Meanwhile, in Yokohama, Kakeru and Haiji wait for Sections 9 and 10 to start. However, when Haiji is nowhere to be found, Kakeru grows uneasy. As though confirming his concerns, a sports doctor exits Haiji’s room. Kakeru interrogates Haiji, but Haiji remains the same calm Haiji he’s always been. It’s 8AM. The second half begins!

Kakeru is bewildered by this new experience. His speed overwhelms the other competitors. Meanwhile, reigning champion Rikudo’s ace Fujioka breaks the section record as promised and pushes his team into first place. Fujioka finds Haiji. What answers wait for them at the ends of their roads? They reassure one another as they exchange words. Prince’s smile pushes Haiji’s quiet resolve forward. Kakeru eventually appears at the relay station, running at shocking speeds. Their dream lies before them. Kakeru passes to Haiji. Their sash unites them and their entire team. At what peak will the Kansei University track and field team arrive?