Musa y los gemelos consiguen al fin sus tiempos oficiales. Yuki y Shindo, a pesar de alegrarse por sus compañeros se sienten frustrados y ni siquiera Haiji consigue animarles. Shindo se esfuerza de más en los entrenamientos y los estudios y preocupa al resto. Mientras, la lluvia dificulta el entrenamiento del equipo.

Mientras Kakeru camina de regreso a casa con Musa, se encuentran con Fujioka Kazuma, el campeón de Rikudo. Fujioka les cuenta parte de la historia que comparte con Haiji y Kakeru siente por fin que entiende algo mejor el concepto de "ser fuerte" que Haiji le describió. Mientras tanto, Haiji tiene problemas.

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?