Tommy O'Hanlon is a promising high school cross-country runner. When a devastating chain of events is set in motion, Tommy is suddenly forced to deal with the deaths of both his parents. Tommy quickly comes to terms with his mother's accidental death, but his father's mysterious demise, in Glacier National Park, haunts him for years.

When Tommy decides to transfer to a rival high school to put at least one part of his painful past behind him, his troubles are only compounded. Through his unfortunate acquaintance with Lee Carter, a fellow runner, Tommy manages to make some strong enemies...