Toyo University returned to the Hakone Ekiden qualifier after a 21-year absence, securing a win with a time of 10:31:30. The team's aggressive run, led by Yu Miyazaki, helped them average under 3:00/km for their 10 scorers. This win marks their first victory since their 14th-place finish at the 102nd Hakone Ekiden.
Brian Kipyegon from Yamanashi Gakuin University won the qualifier with a time of 1:00:48, repeating his victory from the previous year. Richard Etir from Tokyo Kokusai University finished second, and Biniam Tesfay from Musashino Gakuin University came in third. The top 10 teams will qualify for the 2027 Hakone Ekiden. Read more racing coverage.
The qualifier saw intense competition, with 44 runners finishing under 63 minutes and 106 under 64. Chuo Gakuin University secured second place, followed by Tokai University in third. Senshu University re-qualified for the Hakone Ekiden after missing out last year. The margin between qualifying and non-qualifying teams was narrow, with Kokushikan University missing out by 10.6 seconds per runner. Related: Shiseido Women's Corporate Team to Disband in March 2027.
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.