Abstract

Sixteen runners from non-qualifying universities form the “Kanto Student Union” team for the Hakone Ekiden.

Though their times won’t be officially recorded, they confront their pride as they race the 217.1 km between Tokyo and Hakone with a single sash.

Leading them is Satoru Yamashiro, once a member of the selection team himself. Standing in their way is Daichi Ura, Yamashiro’s former anchor and now the head coach of Jonan University, a top contender rumored to be stepping down after the race.

As the athletes battle their doubts and the two coaches’ histories intersect, a unique two-day drama unfolds on the Hakone course.

A special work to commemorate Shunichi Doba’s 200th book.

Author’s Information

Born in 1963. He graduated from Aoyama Gakuin University's College of International Politics, Economics and Communication. He made his literary debut in 2000 when his novel 8-nen (8 Years) won the 13th Novel Subaru Newcomer Award. Since then, he has been highly prolific, enthusiastically publishing numerous works with a strong focus on two main genres: police procedurals and sports fiction.

His sports novels published by this house include Team, Team II, Team III, King, Heat, Dai-encho (Long Overtime), Last Dance, 20, Dokusou (Running Alone), 1934-nen no Chizu (The Map of 1934), The Wall, Dai-rengo (The Grand Alliance), The Mission, and Tsuna o Hiku (Pulling the Rope).

The release of Team IV marks his monumental 200th published book.