Overwhelming victory! A look back at the Hakone Ekiden in photos: “Seigaku University’s fierce race

I can’t find any other word to describe the victory of Aoyama Gakuin University in the 98th Hakone Ekiden. Considering that it was their sixth overall victory in two years, there was no doubt that they were the favorite. But how could they have been so strong?

The time to the finish line was 10 hours, 43 minutes, and 42 seconds, a historic victory that far surpassed the previous record of 10 hours, 45 minutes, and 23 seconds set by Seigaku University two years ago.

In the final 10km, the gap between Juntendo University and the second-place finisher widened to nearly 8 minutes, but third-year runner Kironobu Nakakura did not ease up at all and ran as fast as he could. As a result, he crossed the finish line while setting a new section record here as well.

All six members of the team ran the 10,000 meters in 28 minutes, an amazing feat. It was not a result led by a single star, but a victory of total power.

Aoyamagakuin University is famous for the “strategy name” given by coach Susumu Hara, and this year’s name was “Powerful Strategy. It is not clear at this point what the difference is between this strategy and the one from two years ago, but there is no doubt that the strategy has permeated the team. The coach’s method of making a winning team even stronger is sure to attract more and more attention.

I would like to give a hearty round of applause to the athletes and coaches who have brought excitement and energy to all of Japan since the New Year…!