This is a powerful book about track runners who run the ½ mile. Daryl Wagner and his friend, Curtis, are sophomores at Hasely High. It is spring and both boys have been working very hard by running off-season. They are ready to run track. Daryl’s father is unofficially coaching both boys on the side. Coach Kirby does not seem to be bothered by it. He carries two stopwatches and he keeps separate time for the boy’s ½ mile runs. His son is the faster of the two runners. At the first meet both boys are running the ½ miles and Curtis is close to Daryl but just before the finish of the ½ mile, Daryl falls onto the track. He’s had a cardiac arrest. Curtis does not stop and he finishes second in the race.

The ambulance comes and takes Daryl to the hospital. He is fine. His heart had stopped but there was a doctor at the track that performed CPR while waiting for the ambulance.

One would think that would be the end of Daryl’s running career. But it wasn’t. Daryl’s father decided to Coach Curtis for the family record. This is a heart-wrenching story on all levels. Curtis, Daryl and Mr. Wagner make life and death decisions. This really puts things into perpective.