In May of 1984, the summer Olympic Games will return to America. Jeff Dillon prepares to run in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Buffalo, New York. He will face the deepest field ever assembled. It is the pinnacle of his professional running career. Unfortunately, the marathon goddess does not smile on Jeff as he crosses the finish line last, exhausted and depressed. His misery is interrupted by Bill Atlee, an Olympian who won the 1928 marathon trials. Bill offers to coach the struggling runner, an unexpected silver lining on the day.

Jeff returns to graduate school to be coached by Bill and the prospect of a fall come-back race. Through the many miles of training, a secret is revealed and an agreement struck. Everything points to Jeff's next marathon. There are questions to be answered and redemption sought by both athlete and coach. The race will provide a second chance to compete, to strive for the podium, and face everything that lies beyond the finish.