Kunei Joshi Gakuin girls' A team won the 41st Kurayoshi Women's Ekiden in 1:09:11. Mai Fukumoto started strong, finishing third on the first stage. Waka Murai, a 1500 m champion, led the team into first place on the second stage.
Younger runners Mei Imanishi, Kaia Okuno, and Kotoko Asahi extended the lead. Mei Imanishi added 31 seconds on the third stage. Okuno and Asahi placed near the top on the fourth and fifth stages, securing the win. Read more racing coverage.
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.
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What should runners know about Kunei Joshi Gakuin Girls Win Third Straight Kurayoshi Ekiden?
Kunei Joshi Gakuin girls' team secures third consecutive victory in the Kurayoshi Women's Ekiden. Kunei Joshi Gakuin girls' A team won the 41st Kurayoshi Women's Ekiden in 1:09:11. Mai Fukumoto started strong, finishing third on the first stage. Waka Murai, a 1500 m champion, led the team into first place on the second stage.
When did Runner World publish this racing brief?
Runner World published this brief on October 6, 2026. The underlying Japan Running News report was dated October 4, 2026.
Where can readers find the complete original report?
This summary is based on reporting from Japan Running News. The attributed source link in the article leads to the publisher’s complete report.
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