Sports · Other Sports · 3 hrs ago
Toyo University leads as 10 teams qualify for the Hakone Ekiden
Toyo University led 10 teams into the Hakone Ekiden by winning the qualifying race in Tokyo on October 17.
The annual race decides which universities join teams that already have places in Japan’s major university relay.
The top 10 teams qualified based on the combined times of each school’s 10 fastest runners.
Kokushikan University finished 11th, 1 minute 46 seconds behind the final qualifying team, Hosei University.
Kokushikan had been in the top 10 through 15 kilometres, but its coach said the team lost ground over the final five kilometres.
The main relay takes place on January 2 and 3 over 10 stages and 217.1 kilometres.
The number of places available is set to increase next year, though the next qualifying race will still be difficult, Kokushikan’s coach said.
Toyo University won the Hakone Ekiden qualifying race on October 17, securing one of 10 places in the main event.
The university finished in 10 hours, 31 minutes and 30 seconds, ahead of runner-up Chuo Gakuin by 2 minutes and 1 second.
The top 10 teams qualified for the race, while 11th-placed Kokushikan University missed out by 1 minute and 46 seconds.
Kokushikan coach Hiroyuki Ogawa said his race strategy had been a mistake, citing the team’s opening five kilometres.
The main event is scheduled for January 2 and 3, 2027, over 10 stages covering 217.1 kilometres.
- Who
- Toyo University and nine other teams qualified for the Hakone Ekiden main event.
- What
- Toyo won the qualifying race; Kokushikan finished 11th and did not qualify.
- When
- October 17, 2026.
- Where
- The course ran from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Tachikawa Camp through central Tachikawa to Showa Memorial Park, Tokyo.
- Why
- The 10 fastest teams by combined times for their top 10 runners qualified for the main event.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The 103rd Hakone Ekiden qualifying race was held in Tokyo.
Toyo University won in 10 hours, 31 minutes and 30 seconds, and the top 10 teams qualified.
Kokushikan placed 11th, 1 minute and 46 seconds behind 10th-placed Hosei University.
The Hakone Ekiden main event is scheduled to take place over 10 stages covering 217.1 kilometres.
- Toyo University
- 1st place; 10:31:30
- Runner-up
- Chuo Gakuin University; 10:33:31
- Qualifying places
- 10 teams
- Cut-off gap
- Kokushikan was 1:46 behind Hosei
- Main event
- January 2–3, 2027; 10 stages; 217.1 km
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What people are saying
私の作戦ミスというか最初の5キロの入りが少し後悔はありますけど
前半稼いでしまった分、残りの5キロがいまいち伸びなかった。そこが一番の敗因かなと思います
最初の給水ポイントが左右にわかれてるのって、毎年こんな感じだっけ？ このシステム、全てのエリートマラソン大会でも採用したらいいのにっていつも思うんだよなー