Against The Wishes Of His Mother, Sixteen-year-old Ray Garraty Is About To Compete In The Annual Grueling Match Of Stamina And Wits Known As The Long Walk. One Hundred Boys Must Keep A Steady Pace Of Four Miles Per Hour Without Ever Stopping...with The Winner Being Awarded The Prize--anything He Wants For The Rest Of His Life. But, As Part Of This National Tournament That Sweeps Through A Dystophian America Year After Year, There Are Some Harsh Rules That Garraty And Ninety-nine Others Must Adhere To In Order To Beat Out The Rest. There Is No Finish Line--the Winner Is The Last Man Standing. Contestants Cannot Receive Any Outside Aid Whatsoever. Slow Down Under The Speed Limit And You're Given A Warning. Three Warnings And You're Out Of The Game--permanently.