Shinkai's demon sprint allows Hakone to slowly pull ahead of Sohoku even further. Not wanting to lose any ground or teammates, the seniors of Sohoku step to the front of the line and decide to rotate the lead while gaining ground. Eventually Tadokoro takes the lead and announces this will be his final sprint, but he promises he will go full blast until they catch up to Hakone. Slowly but surely Tadokoro gains speed, and as he gains speed Sohoku makes up ground on Shinkai and Hakone. He is able to pull even with Shinkai just as the two teams reach their final climb, but the energy he has used causes him to drop behind everyone. He isn't alone. Shinkai also drops back, with all his sprint energy having been spent. Hakone and Sohoku begin the final climb knowing only one team will prevail, and knowing only the best of the best can compete the final climb.
泉田の加速により、総北に差をつけ独走する箱根学園。金城たちは、その差が決定的な距離になる前に、1年に代わりチームを引き始める。そんな3年の実力を前に、ただ見守る事しかできない自分たちの無力さを感じる今泉と鳴子。だが、坂道はそんな先輩たちの背中を見つめ、何かを感じ取ろうとしていた。
이즈미다의 가속으로 소호쿠와 차이를 벌려 독주하는 하코네 학교. 킨조들은 그 차이가 결정적인 거리가 되기 전에 1학년과 교대하고 팀을 끌기 시작한다. 그런 3학년의 실력 앞에 그저 지켜볼 수 밖에 없는 자신들의 무력함을 느끼는 이마이즈미와 나루코. 하지만 사카미치는 그런 선배들의 등을 바라보며 무언가 감지하기 위해 노력한다.
