A select group of people from around the country are coerced or invited to compete in a highly-secretive, cross-county road race with a rumored prize of $32 million. Those competing include: Alex Tully, whose wife has been kidnapped and who has become convinced that competing in The Race will lead to her whereabouts; Wendy Patrakas, a new mother fleeing from her husband, Richard; Rob Laird, a soldier just back from fighting in Iraq, and his wife Ellie; Winston Salazar, a convict who has been mysteriously let out of jail, and his newly discovered half-brother Sean; Hurricane Katrina survivors Ivy, Leigh and Susan; father and daughter team John and Violet; and mysterious stowaway Corinna Wiles. The Race Liaison, Mr. Bright, meets the participants in the Florida Keys and gives them instructions on the first leg of their trip.