Former Rikkyo University Ekiden Director Dismissed for “Affair with Female Club Member” Says “I Can Only Repay Giving Back by Running

I can only give back by running.”

Yuichiro Ueno, who was dismissed from his post as coach of the Rikkyo University ekiden team a year and four months ago after a weekly magazine reported his inappropriate relationship with a female team member, is now in Saga Prefecture. He has been back on active duty at the Ogi-based “Hiramatsu Hospital” since January 2012.

Although he is 39 years old, he ran the third section of the New Year Ekiden on New Year’s Day and came in sixth place, and he also played a major role as a pacemaker in the Beppu Oita Mainichi Marathon on February 2.

It was a splendid comeback,” Ueno said. When I told him this, Ueno said in a frightened tone, “When I hear about this, I think it’s a bit of a shock.

I was a little scared when I heard about it from a weekly magazine. …… I wondered if I had done something wrong again (laugh). To be honest, I thought I would be satisfied if I could run 15th in the section, but I was able to run more solidly than I expected. I think it was a positive event for the team, which is passionate about ekiden, and for me as well.

As a result, Hiramatsu Hospital finished in 24th place, tied for its highest-ever ranking.

The elite runner, who has experienced the big stage at various levels in his career, including Nagano’s Sakyu Chosei High School, Chuo University, SB Foods, and DeNA, became the coach of Rikkyo University in 2006. The scandal occurred in October of 2011, the same year he led Rikkyo University to its first Hakone Ekiden appearance in 55 years.

He said, “I wonder how many people were inconvenienced by what I did out of my own weakness. The university, the female members of the club I got involved with, and my wife ……, whom I hurt the most. I must live my life from now on without forgetting my remorse. That is what I have spent my life thinking.”

Ueno decided to return to active duty while the turmoil was still fresh in his mind. His quick turnaround was met with a whirlwind of approval and disapproval.

I had no choice but to run in order to survive,” he said. Hiramatsu Hospital saved me from such a situation. I can only repay the hospital by running.

He does not engage in hospital work, but only runs as a professional contract athlete.

The reality is harsh: “If I can’t run (without results), I get fired. The reality is very serious: if I can’t run, I will be fired. Running now is the most fulfilling thing for me.”