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 will run in the Hakone Ekiden together." Kakeru responds strongly to Haiji’s rash suggestion. All the residents are amateurs when it comes to long distance running. Nobody takes Haiji’s words seriously. The residents attempt to carry on with their college lives, but Haiji’s shadow approaches. Threatened by Haiji’s mysterious pressure, several tragically fall to Haiji’s hand. Kakeru tries to leave the Chikusei-so, but he runs into Nico-chan in the city. Meanwhile, the Chikusei-so’s bath breaks for unknown reasons, and they decide to go to the "hellish" public bath instead…

The twins and Musa achieve official records, and the residents of the Chikusei-so feel there’s hope for them. However, Shindo and Yuki begin to panic as they fail to beat their personal records for close to a month. Haiji tries to reason with them, but words alone aren’t enough to save them. Meanwhile, the heavy rains continue, impeding the progress of the residents. The other residents grow concerned as Shindo continues to work hard at practice and his studies. Meanwhile, Kakeru and Haiji spot champion Fujioka Kazuma in a track and field magazine…

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…

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?