#Japan #Tokyo #All Japan Ekiden #Kanto Universities #Marathon Relay

57th All Japan University Ekiden Kanto Region Rally

On October 1, 2025, the rally for the Kanto region representatives of the 57th All Japan University Ekiden took place at the Asahi Shimbun Tokyo Headquarters. This prestigious event, organized by the Japan Student Athletics Association, Asahi Shimbun, TV Asahi, and Me-Tele, aims to crown the true champion of Japanese university ekiden.

Gathering of Elite University Teams

The rally saw representatives from 15 universities in the Kanto region, including athletes, managers, and officials, expressing their determination to achieve victory at the national level. Each team shared their goals and the hard work they put into training.

Welcoming Words from Organizers and Sponsors

As part of the event, Shoko Fujishima, Executive Director of Asahi Shimbun, and Hideo Naoe, Executive Officer of the special sponsor Haseko Corporation, both spoke to encourage the teams. Their messages were filled with fervor, reinforcing the spirit of competition among the participants. The Haseko Group provided each of the participating schools with personalized mineral water bottles labeled "Ganbare Daigaku Ekiden Shutsujokou Ouen Bottle," reflecting their support.

Additionally, a special gift was presented: a certificate for 60 kg of "Tanakami Rice," harvested through careful cultivation in Shiga Prefecture’s Tagami led by Haseko’s subsidiary.

Strong Comments from the Athletes

The event was emceed by TV Asahi's Yohei Onishi and Arisa Suzuki, who conducted interviews with team representatives. Many athletes expressed their readiness for the competition. For instance, an athlete from Kokugakuin University emphasized their solid practice regimen, stating, "All players have trained intensively, and we are confident in our ability to compete aggressively for the top position." One person from Komazawa University remarked on their aspiration to achieve a triple crown, saying, "We will run through Ise while keeping our gratitude toward our supporters in our hearts." A representative from Aoyama Gakuin University addressed their new team’s mission, focusing on the spirit of champions and their preparation to pursue victory intently.

Competing Universities

The following 15 universities are set to compete in the upcoming event:

• - Kokugakuin University
• - Komazawa University
• - Aoyama Gakuin University
• - Soka University
• - Waseda University
• - Josai University
• - Rikkyo University
• - Teikyo University
• - Chuo University
• - Daito Bunka University
• - Juntendo University
• - Nihon University
• - Tokai University
• - Chuo Gakuin University
• - Nippon Sports Science University

The Upcoming Event

The "57th All Japan University Ekiden Championship" will take place on November 2, 2025, starting from Atsuta Jingu in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, and concluding at Ise Jingu in Ise City, Mie Prefecture, covering a total distance of 106.8 km. The event promises to be a fierce and exhilarating competition among Japan's top university athletes.