On August 2, the 51st Mount Fuji Ekiden took place, covering 11 stages up to Mount Fuji's peak. Heisei Mountaineering Club won in 3:50:39, beating Takigahara SDF Base by 2:07. This marks the first time an independent team has outrun the fastest SDF team since divisions separated in 2005.

Heisei Mountaineering's team included Ruy Ueda, Yamato Yoshino, and Hikaru Kitamura, each assigned to specific legs based on their strengths. Takigahara SDF Base made changes, moving Toru Miyahara and Hiroya Moriguchi to different legs, which impacted their performance. Read more trail coverage.

Takigahara led early but Heisei Mountaineering took the lead on the summit stage. Despite Takigahara's efforts, Heisei maintained their lead, winning by 2:07. This victory highlights the growing competitiveness of independent teams in the Mount Fuji Ekiden. Related: Aging Runners Excel in Ultramarathons, Study Finds.

This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Japan Running News. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.