Waseda University won the 58th All-Japan University Ekiden on 1 November in 5 hours, 3 minutes and 31 seconds, a new event record. The victory was the university’s sixth and its first in 16 years. Three first-year runners helped move Waseda into the lead by the end of the second stage, while a record-breaking fifth leg widened the gap. The result gives the team two of Japan’s three major university ekiden titles this season, with the Hakone Ekiden still to come in January.

A record built over eight stages

Waseda finished in 5:03:31, 3 minutes and 34 seconds ahead of runner-up Kokugakuin University, which recorded 5:07:05. The official result sheet marks Waseda’s time as a new event record and its sixth overall victory, 16 years after its previous title.

The previous event record was 5:06:47, set by Komazawa University in 2022. Waseda’s winning time improved it by 3 minutes and 16 seconds, a substantial change over a course that covers more than 100 kilometres.

Sources: 58th All-Japan University Ekiden – Official Results · Waseda sets a new event record and wins for the first time in 16 years · Waseda wins its sixth All-Japan University Ekiden title with a new record

What makes the All-Japan University Ekiden different

The race covers 106.8 kilometres in eight stages, beginning outside Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya and finishing at the Uji Bridge entrance to Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture. Each university fields a sequence of runners who pass a sash known as the tasuki at designated exchange points.

The stages are not equal in length: the opening leg is 9.5 kilometres, while the final leg is 19.7 kilometres. Teams therefore need more than eight strong individual times. They must distribute endurance, speed and tactical roles across very different distances.

Sources: 58th All-Japan University Ekiden – Official Results · 58th All-Japan University Ekiden

Three first-years changed the race early

Waseda’s opening trio was made up of first-year runners Honda Sakurajiro, Masuko Yota and Niizuma Ryoki. Honda handed over in second place, just two seconds behind the leader. Masuko then ran 30:51 for the 11.1-kilometre second stage, a stage record, and moved Waseda into first place.

Niizuma extended the advantage with a 32:45 third stage, also a record. At the third exchange Waseda’s cumulative time was 1:31:23, compared with 1:33:08 for Kokugakuin. The lead was already 1 minute and 45 seconds before the race reached its middle stages.

Sources: 58th All-Japan University Ekiden – Official Results · Waseda wins after 16 years as first-year trio Honda, Masuko and Niizuma excel · Waseda sets a new event record and wins for the first time in 16 years

The fifth leg turned the advantage into control

Second-year runner Suzuki Ryūin delivered another decisive performance on the 12.4-kilometre fifth stage. His 34:31 was 30 seconds faster than the previous stage record, according to Japanese sports coverage. Waseda reached the fifth exchange in 2:39:18, with Kokugakuin at 2:41:57.

The lead did not remove the need for a disciplined finish. Waseda still had three stages to complete, including a 19.7-kilometre anchor leg. The team maintained its advantage and crossed the line with a 3:34 margin.

Sources: 58th All-Japan University Ekiden – Official Results · Waseda sets a new event record and wins for the first time in 16 years · Waseda wins its sixth All-Japan University Ekiden title with a new record

Two of the three major student ekiden titles are now Waseda’s

Waseda had already won the Izumo Ekiden in October. The All-Japan victory gives it two of the three major university ekiden titles contested during the academic year; the Hakone Ekiden, held in January, is the remaining race.

A Hakone victory would complete the season’s university ekiden triple crown. Japanese coverage has noted that a second triple crown would be a historic first for a university, but that outcome remains a possibility rather than an achievement: Hakone has not yet been run.

Sources: Waseda wins after 16 years as first-year trio Honda, Masuko and Niizuma excel · Waseda wins its sixth All-Japan University Ekiden title with a new record

Why the result matters beyond the stopwatch

The most visible feature of the race was not one runner carrying the whole team. Waseda combined a fast first-year trio, a strong fifth-stage performance and experienced runners for the later legs. That balance is central to the relay format: a team can gain time in one stage, but it must protect the advantage through every exchange.

The record also gives the rest of the university field a clear benchmark. A 3:16 improvement over the previous event record suggests that the standard at the top of the collegiate relay has moved, although one race alone cannot establish a lasting trend.

Sources: 58th All-Japan University Ekiden – Official Results · Waseda wins after 16 years as first-year trio Honda, Masuko and Niizuma excel · Waseda sets a new event record and wins for the first time in 16 years

What to watch before Hakone

The next test is the Hakone Ekiden in January. Its course, stage structure and competitive pressures differ from the All-Japan event, so Waseda’s November result does not guarantee a third title.

The practical question is whether the team can keep its strongest runners healthy, preserve depth across the roster and repeat the quality of its exchanges over another long-distance relay. For now, Waseda has completed two parts of the three-race challenge; the final part remains ahead.

Sources: 58th All-Japan University Ekiden · Waseda wins after 16 years as first-year trio Honda, Masuko and Niizuma excel · Waseda wins its sixth All-Japan University Ekiden title with a new record