In not distant enough future, mankind lives in the ashes of its own former glory. Our most visionary minds and most ruthless leaders spent lifetimes perusing terrifying means of destroying one another. In the end they succeeded.

After nuclear, biological, and conventional warfare had all taken their toll on humanity. "Cleanup" was mostly left to ever more deadly drones. The dwindling populations clung to ever diminishing resources. However, as they say, time heals all wounds. After Generals, Nations, and cities had all vanished from the earth, small pockets of survivors emerged as the heirs to everything that billions once killed and died for. As the populations grew, new cities and nations rose up once again. As borders began to be drawn and expanded, the people of earth once again found themselves under the shadow of war.

Fortunately, humanity learned from their past and chose a different future. Leaders from all over the world, were summoned to a "Great Council". There they agreed to resolve their differences through peaceful means. Modeled after the Olympics of old, and the popular block races often held by street kids. The Great Council decreed races would be held where nations and cities from all over the world would compete. It was decided the races would be held in the ruins of former cities and monuments, to remind future generations the cost of war. The most effective and devastating weapons from the past were repurposed. Instead of sending their greatest athletes, nations would utilize their best minds creating the fastest runners possible. The age of the Chainhounds had begun. Peace and prosperity ensued.