Patina is a twelve-year-old girl who runs as the anchor for the Defenders' 4 x 800 relay team and recently transferred to Chester Academy. She bears heavy responsibilities for her younger sister following her father's sudden death and her mother's illness. To cope with her trauma and isolation, she maintains a strict internal "To Do" list and distances herself from her peers. She views running both as a way to honor her parents and as a method to escape her daily burdens.

Patina's younger sister is an energetic and forward young girl who asks frequent questions. She depends heavily on Patina for emotional stability but also shows signs of underlying anxiety regarding the traumas their family has faced. Maddy focuses heavily on physical strength, occasionally attempting to lift heavy objects or adults to prove her power. She wears red beads in her hair that Patina braids for her each week.

Patina and Maddy's biological mother lost both legs to diabetes and undergoes thrice-weekly dialysis to clean her blood. Despite her physical struggles and transferring custody of her daughters to her brother, she remains a deeply loving and consistent figure in their lives. She attends church weekly with her daughters, where she enjoys watching them dance to the organ music.

Emily is Patina and Maddy's white adoptive mother and Uncle Tony's wife. She runs her own business called Emily's Expert Care and subtly tries to lighten Patina's heavy burdens, such as cooking turkey wings every night after Patina once mentioned liking them. Having experienced loss in her own youth, she understands Patina's trauma and feelings of isolation at Chester Academy.

Patina and Maddy's paternal uncle serves as their primary guardian. He often provides comedic relief with his gregarious personality and spontaneous dance moves. Beneath his humorous exterior, he acts as a deeply emotionally supportive father figure who encourages Patina to express her grief and stop hiding her true feelings.

A wealthy student at Chester Academy and Patina's partner for their history project on Frida Kahlo. Despite her affluent background, Becca feels isolated due to her parents' busy careers as astrophysicists. Unconcerned with following the status quo, she unapologetically leans into her passion for space, decorating her entire bedroom black to resemble the galaxy.

The head coach of the Defenders track team assigns Patina to the relay team to teach her the value of trusting others. He is deeply committed to his athletes' personal growth and frequently uses symbols, like the silver relay baton, to explain how team energy functions. He expects total commitment from his runners and refuses to let them pout over individual losses.

A runner on the Defenders track team who ran the relay the previous year. She initially clashes with Patina during baton handoffs, leading to heated arguments about their respective running speeds and family backgrounds. This confrontation eventually forces the two girls to find common ground and learn how to support each other.

A newcomer to the Defenders track team and part of Patina's close-knit friend group. He is highly empathetic, notably breaking into tears and initiating a group hug when Patina shares the details about her mother's health and her family's recent struggles.

A talented runner and another new member of the Defenders track team. He wins first place at the season's opening track meet and remains part of Patina's supportive friend circle, offering her a space where she feels understood.

A new member of the Defenders track team who forms a tight bond with Patina, Sunny, and Ghost. He runs an extra penalty mile alongside his friends when they support each other during a challenging practice.

A member of the girls' 4 x 800 relay team known for having large feet. She is a returning relay runner who struggles during a critical baton handoff but relies on her teammates' energy to keep going.

The first-leg runner on the girls' 4 x 800 relay team. She is an experienced relay runner who successfully leads off the team during their races.

The assistant coach of the Defenders track team. She devises creative practice techniques, such as setting up a CD player to make the girls waltz together so they can learn how to move in sync.

A student at Chester Academy who partners with Patina for their history project. Patina initially assumes she is incredibly wealthy, but later learns about TeeTee's true family background, making her realize they share similar insecurities about fitting in.

A Chester Academy student in Patina's history project group. Like TeeTee, Taylor tries to present a wealthy facade at school, but her family actually has modest means.

Affectionately known as Cotton, she is Patina's best friend from her old neighborhood, Barnaby Terrace. She surprises Patina by showing up to her track meet to support her on the weekend.

An elderly man who receives care from Momly's business. Decades earlier, he was the custodian hired at Chester Academy who befriended a young Momly and taught her not to avoid life's harsh realities.

Ashley's brother who lives in Patina's old neighborhood. He assists the family with transportation to Patina's important weekend track meets.

A medical doctor who treats Momly at the local hospital. Maddy attempts to pick him up while showing off her physical strength in the waiting room.

The team captain of the Defenders. He is direct with Patina, reminding her that she must support her teammates regardless of her individual performance on the track.

The history teacher at Chester Academy who assigns the "Important Women in History" project that brings Patina and her classmates together.

Taylor's mother and Maddy's teacher at Chester Academy. Her profession reveals to Patina that some of her Chester Academy classmates are not as wealthy as they pretend to be.