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4 clusters · 7 sources · 12 days · First seen · Last updated

Waseda University wins Izumo Ekiden with course record

Overview

The Izumo Ekiden, a 45.1-kilometer, six-stage student long-distance race in Shimane Prefecture, commenced on October 12. To mitigate heatstroke risks, the start time was moved to 9:10 AM, approximately four hours earlier than in previous years. Morning temperatures were recorded at approximately 20 degrees Celsius.

Waseda University secured the victory, marking its first Izumo Ekiden win in 16 years and setting a new course record of 2:05:56. The win was driven by strong performances from its younger runners, including first-year student Ojiro Honda, who won the section prize in the second leg, and first-year Ryoki Niizuma, who set a new section record during the fourth leg. Senior anchor Shinsaku Kudo, known as the ‘Mountain Detective,’ maintained the lead during the final 10.2-kilometer leg to secure the win. Kudo attributed the success to the collective effort of the six-person team.

Kokugakuin University finished in second place, also setting a course record with a time of 2:06:54. Despite the runner-up finish, Kokugakuin's coach Yasuhiro Maeda noted that Waseda’s dominance in the middle sections made it difficult for competitors to close the gap.

Other prominent contenders included Aoyama Gakuin University, the Hakone Ekiden champion, and Chuo University, which aimed to secure its first major title outside of the Hakone Ekiden in 31 seasons. An Ivy League selection team also competed, featuring Harvard University’s Graham Blanks. The race route spanned from the front torii gate of Izumo Taisha to the Izumo Dome.

Entities

Kokugakuin University · Izumo Ekiden · Waseda University · Shinsaku Kudo · Katsuhiko Hanada

Timeline

  1. [SPORTS] 4 sources
    Waseda University wins Izumo Ekiden for first time in 16 years

    Waseda University won the Izumo Ekiden with a new course record of 2:05:56, marking its first victory in 16 years. Kokugakuin University finished second with a course record time.

  2. [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Izumo Ekiden starts early to mitigate heatstroke risks

    The Izumo Ekiden began with a rescheduled 9:10 AM start to mitigate heatstroke risks. Top contenders include Kokugakuin, Aoyama Gakuin, Chuo, and Waseda universities.

  3. [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Izumo Ekiden: Major universities prepare for upcoming student long-distance race

    Universities including Komazawa, Sapporo Gakuin, and Hokkaido prepare for the Izumo Ekiden on October 12, with race times adjusted to earlier in the morning to mitigate heat risks.

  4. [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Hakone Ekiden qualifying race set for October 17

    The 103rd Hakone Ekiden qualifying race takes place October 17. Yamanashi Gakuin University is favored to lead, while Toyo University faces challenges with an inexperienced roster.

Sources

fnn.jp · hochi.news · jugem.jp · news.cube-soft.jp · shimotsuke.co.jp · sportiva.shueisha.co.jp · tokyo-sports.co.jp

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history