Sports · Running & Athletics · 3 hrs ago
Meijo wins women’s university ekiden with a record time
Meijo University won the All-Japan University Women’s Ekiden in Sendai, Japan, on October 25.
The six-stage race covered 38 kilometres and featured 27 teams.
Meijo finished in a record 2 hours, 2 minutes and 21 seconds, its ninth title in the competition.
Third-year runner Nozomi Kondo set a stage record, while first-year runner Mao Kimura won the fifth stage.
The victory returned Meijo to the top after it had won seven straight titles from 2017 to 2023 but missed out in 2024 and 2025.
Local team Tohoku Fukushi finished fourth, and Tohoku University placed 23rd.
Aoyama Gakuin plans to enter in 2027, aiming to win the race in its first appearance.
Meijo University won the 44th All Japan University Women’s Ekiden in Sendai with a record time of 2 hours, 2 minutes and 21 seconds.
The victory was Meijo’s ninth overall and its first since 2023.
Meijo runners won three stage awards, including a stage record by Nozomi Kondo on the second leg.
First-year runner Mao Kimura won the fifth leg, helping Meijo hold its lead.
Tohoku Fukushi University finished fourth, while Tohoku University placed 23rd.
- Who
- Meijo University won the race. Twenty-seven teams, including open-entry teams, took part.
- What
- The 44th All Japan University Women’s Ekiden was held over six stages covering 38 kilometres.
- When
- October 25, 2026.
- Where
- The race started and finished at Koshin Rubber Athlete Park Sendai in Sendai, Japan.
- Why
- Meijo’s runners secured the win with a record performance. The sources do not state a more specific reason.
Meijo University’s coaching approach
Aoyama Gakuin University’s coaching approach
Coaching women runners
Meijo University’s coaching approach
Meijo coach Katsuro Yoneda said women’s and men’s coaching should differ and described close attention to women athletes’ needs.
Aoyama Gakuin University’s coaching approach
Aoyama’s coach, who also leads its men’s team, is using men’s coaching experience and joint training to develop its new women’s team.
Competition
Meijo University’s coaching approach
Yoneda welcomed Aoyama’s entry but said Meijo should not let it win easily.
Aoyama Gakuin University’s coaching approach
Aoyama aims to make its first appearance in the 2027 race and target a debut victory.
Meijo won the All Japan University Women’s Ekiden seven years in a row.
Ritsumeikan University won the race, ending Meijo’s streak.
Josai University won the race.
Meijo won the 44th race in a record 2 hours, 2 minutes and 21 seconds.
Aoyama Gakuin University aims to make its first appearance in the race and target a first-time victory.
- Winner
- Meijo University
- Winning time
- 2 hours, 2 minutes, 21 seconds; event record
- Stages and distance
- 6 stages; 38.0 kilometres
- Meijo’s total victories
- 9
- Second-leg stage record
- Nozomi Kondo
- Other reported finishers
- Tohoku Fukushi University: 4th; Tohoku University: 23rd
5 sources
What people are saying
If Aoyama comes out and gets good results, I will honestly acknowledge that Aoyama is impressive and that our coaching approach so far was wrong.
Before running, honestly, I was worried, or rather scared, about being chased by Sara.
I am very happy to be here now.