2026.01.18
Kaun Eigakuin secures victory with a record-breaking time of 1:27:13, their first win in seven years! Denso triumphs in the general division for the fourth time in history / Selected Women’s Ekiden Kitakyushu
◇The 37th Selected Women’s Ekiden Kitakyushu (January 18th / Starting and finishing point: Kokura Castle Historical Road, Fukuoka)
The Selected Women’s Ekiden Kitakyushu took place on January 18th, with Kaun Eigakuin (Osaka) winning the high school division in a record-breaking time of 1 hour, 27 minutes, and 13 seconds – their fourth victory in seven attempts. In the general division, Denso secured their third win in four years with a time of 1 hour, 28 minutes, and 41 seconds.
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While the course is divided into 6 sections for high school teams and 5 sections for general teams (total distance of 27.2km), both high school and corporate teams start simultaneously and compete against each other.
Kaun Eigakuin started the first leg 15 seconds behind the leader, but Tani Rei (2nd year) closed the gap to 4 seconds in the second leg. Yabuyama Yume (3rd year) ran a phenomenal leg, setting a new course record and taking the lead. The 5th leg runner, Kawatani Rio (3rd year), also won her leg, extending the lead. Anchor runner, Kuragihara Miyu (3rd year), also set a new course record, finishing first overall, including the general division.
Sumagakuen (Hyogo), who led until the 3rd leg, finished second with a time of 1 hour, 29 minutes, and 42 seconds. Ritsumeikan Uji (Kyoto) came in third, 8 seconds behind, followed by Seikyo (Yamaguchi) in fourth and Tsukushigaoka Women’s University (Fukuoka) in fifth.
In the general division, the competition was fierce between Denso, Kyocera, and Iwatani Industry until the longest leg, the 5th leg (10.4km). Iwatani Industry fell behind, and Denso’s Nakazawa Saeko ultimately secured the victory with a leg-winning performance.
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Kyocera finished second, 6 seconds behind, and Iwatani Industry finished third, 17 seconds behind.
◇The 37th Selected Women’s Ekiden Kitakyushu (January 18th / Starting and finishing point: Kokura Castle Historical Road, Fukuoka)
The Selected Women’s Ekiden Kitakyushu took place on January 18th, with Kaun Eigakuin (Osaka) winning the high school division in a record-breaking time of 1 hour, 27 minutes, and 13 seconds – their fourth victory in seven attempts. In the general division, Denso secured their third win in four years with a time of 1 hour, 28 minutes, and 41 seconds.
While the course is divided into 6 sections for high school teams and 5 sections for general teams (total distance of 27.2km), both high school and corporate teams start simultaneously and compete against each other.
Kaun Eigakuin started the first leg 15 seconds behind the leader, but Tani Rei (2nd year) closed the gap to 4 seconds in the second leg. Yabuyama Yume (3rd year) ran a phenomenal leg, setting a new course record and taking the lead. The 5th leg runner, Kawatani Rio (3rd year), also won her leg, extending the lead. Anchor runner, Kuragihara Miyu (3rd year), also set a new course record, finishing first overall, including the general division.
Sumagakuen (Hyogo), who led until the 3rd leg, finished second with a time of 1 hour, 29 minutes, and 42 seconds. Ritsumeikan Uji (Kyoto) came in third, 8 seconds behind, followed by Seikyo (Yamaguchi) in fourth and Tsukushigaoka Women’s University (Fukuoka) in fifth.
In the general division, the competition was fierce between Denso, Kyocera, and Iwatani Industry until the longest leg, the 5th leg (10.4km). Iwatani Industry fell behind, and Denso’s Nakazawa Saeko ultimately secured the victory with a leg-winning performance.
Kyocera finished second, 6 seconds behind, and Iwatani Industry finished third, 17 seconds behind.
Check out the full results of the Selected Women’s Ekiden Kitakyushu!
●General Division
1st Place Denso 1 hour 28 minutes 41 seconds
2nd Place Kyocera 1 hour 28 minutes 47 seconds
3rd Place Iwatani Industry 1 hour 28 minutes 58 seconds
4th Place Ehime Bank 1 hour 29 minutes 41 seconds
5th Place Kraftia 1 hour 31 minutes 15 seconds
6th Place TOTO 1 hour 32 minutes 00 seconds
7th Place Canon 1 hour 32 minutes 32 seconds
8th Place Kitakyushu City Selection 1 hour 35 minutes 34 seconds
●Leg Awards
1st Leg (5.3km) Oiho Riri (Kyocera) 16 minutes 59 seconds
2nd Leg (3.8km) Jesinta Nyokabi (Denso) 11 minutes 35 seconds
3rd Leg (3.9km) Nishio Sakura (Iwatani Industry) 12 minutes 36 seconds
4th Leg (3.8km) Hori Ayaka (Denso) 11 minutes 47 seconds
5th Leg (10.4km) Nakazawa Saeko (Denso) 34 minutes 13 seconds
●High School Division
1st Place Kaun Eigakuin (Osaka) 1 hour 27 minutes 13 seconds
2nd Place Sumagakuen (Hyogo) 1 hour 29 minutes 42 seconds
3rd Place Ritsumeikan Uji (Kyoto) 1 hour 29 minutes 50 seconds
4th Place Seikyo (Yamaguchi) 1 hour 30 minutes 27 seconds
5th Place Tsukushigaoka Women’s University (Fukuoka) 1 hour 30 minutes 29 seconds
6th Place Kitakyushu City (Fukuoka) 1 hour 30 minutes 38 seconds
7th Place Kamimura Gakuen (Kagoshima) 1 hour 30 minutes 46 seconds
8th Place Gingaku Gakuen (Hiroshima) 1 hour 32 minutes 26 seconds
9th Place Oita Toho (Oita) 1 hour 32 minutes 38 seconds
10th Place Chiharadai (Kumamoto) 1 hour 33 minutes 29 seconds
11th Place Asahikawa Ryukoku (Hokkaido) 1 hour 34 minutes 14 seconds
12th Place Luther Gakuen (Kumamoto) 1 hour 34 minutes 59 seconds
13th Place Kobayashi (Miyazaki) 1 hour 35 minutes 00 seconds
14th Place Kagoshima (Kagoshima) 1 hour 35 minutes 08 seconds
15th Place Kitakyushu City Selection 1 hour 35 minutes 22 seconds
16th Place Yamada (Kochi) 1 hour 35 minutes 43 seconds
17th Place Kyushu University Affiliated (Fukuoka) 1 hour 36 minutes 06 seconds
18th Place Miyazaki Nichidai (Miyazaki) 1 hour 41 minutes 06 seconds
19th Place Saga Seiwai (Saga) 1 hour 42 minutes 02 seconds
●Leg Awards
1st Leg (5.3km) Ikeo Eri (Sumagakuen) 16 minutes 51 seconds
2nd Leg (3.8km) Waku Riki Chiai (Seikyo) 11 minutes 52 seconds
3rd Leg (3.9km) Yabuyama Yume (Osaka Kaun Eigakuin) 12 minutes 35 seconds = Course Record
4th Leg (3.8km) Ashida Wakana (Ritsumeikan Uji) 11 minutes 29 seconds = Course Record
5th Leg (5.9km) Kawatani Rio (Osaka Kaun Eigakuin) 19 minutes 01 seconds
6th Leg (4.5km) Kuragihara Miyu (Osaka Kaun Eigakuin) 14 minutes 22 seconds = Course Record
Did you know? The Ekiden format, originating in Japan, emphasizes teamwork and strategic pacing, making it a unique and compelling race format. It’s now gaining popularity internationally.
The recent performance by Kaun Eigakuin highlights a growing trend in high school athletics: a focus on data-driven training and personalized coaching. Teams are increasingly utilizing wearable technology and biomechanical analysis to optimize performance and prevent injuries. This mirrors trends seen in professional running, as reported by Runner’s World.
Pro Tip: For aspiring runners, interval training and tempo runs are crucial for building speed and endurance, mirroring the strategies employed by the winning teams in the Ekiden.
The success of Denso in the general division underscores the importance of corporate sponsorship and investment in athletic programs. Companies like Denso recognize the value of supporting athletes, not only for brand visibility but also for fostering a culture of health and wellness within their organizations. This is a trend we’re seeing across various sports, as detailed in a recent report by SportBusiness.
Reader Question: “What role does nutrition play in Ekiden performance?” Proper hydration and carbohydrate loading are essential for maintaining energy levels throughout the race. Athletes often consume energy gels and drinks during the race to replenish glycogen stores.
Explore more articles on Japanese athletics and training techniques here. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates and insights!