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With strength cultivated through "tough training," they aim to win the Hakone Ekiden overall championship for the first time in 15 years

Team captain Tomonori Yamaguchi, fourth-year student, School of Sport Sciences, graduated from Ishikawa High School in Fukushima Prefecture
Vice-captain Junpei Maseda, a fourth-year student, School of Sport Sciences, graduated from Tosu Technical High School in Saga Prefecture

From left: Maseda and Yamaguchi

--Yamaguchi, you have won two titles (1500m, 5000m) at the Japan Intercollegiate Championships in June, broke the Waseda record in the 5000m for the first time in 18 years, and also won a section at the Izumo Ekiden, continuing to produce results. How do you evaluate your own running?

Yamaguchi: Over the past four years, I feel like I've reached the level I've always aimed for. However, I wasn't able to achieve one of my two biggest goals this season - competing in the World Championships - so I can't give myself a perfect score, and I'm not satisfied. That's why I want to focus on my other goal from now on - winning the Hakone Ekiden. I also feel that my desire to run for the team has grown stronger over the past four years.

Maseda: Yamaguchi is a captain we can watch with confidence, and he is a reliable player who can win even on the big stage.

The finish line of the 5000m final on the third day of the Japan Intercollegiate Championships in June 2025. Along with his victory in the 1500m on the second day, he achieved a double crown. © M. Okazaki

--Maseda ran the first leg of this year's All Japan University Ekiden, finishing second with no time difference. He has often been entrusted with starting the team, such as in the first leg of the Hakone Ekiden.

Maseda: The first section determines the flow of the relay race, so I try to be conscious of not letting things go awry no matter what the situation. Also, during the race, it's easy to end up in a group, and tactics and competition are bound to occur, so I try to first observe what's going on around me and make calm decisions.

Yamaguchi: At the All Japan Championships, Junpei (Maseda) looked to be in good shape even before the race, so when he fell behind the leading group midway through, I panicked and thought, "What are you doing?" (laughs). But it was his experience that allowed him to pull himself up to second place. After all, "Waseda's starters are synonymous with the 'Mase Dash' [a play on Maseda's name]."

Maseda ran the first section for the fourth consecutive year at the All Japan University Ekiden in November 2025. He gave the team momentum by finishing second in his section, just seconds behind the first-place winner (Photo provided by Waseda Sports Newspaper Club).

--What kind of team do you have this season, led by Yamaguchi as the ekiden captain and Maseda as the ekiden vice-captain?

Yamaguchi: For better or worse, there's not much of a gap between grade levels. I think that having role models like Junpei and Rinta Miyaoka  (4th year, School of Commerce) and other upperclassmen who are close to the younger students has ultimately led to an improvement in the competitive abilities of the younger students. In fact, we've seen some outstanding players emerge from the younger students, including first-year students, and I think the self-made upperclassmen are also able to show their strengths.

Maseda: The younger students have a lot of momentum, so the older students are also improving their attitude and approach to practice, as if they are being pushed up by that momentum. As a result, I have the impression that there are fewer runners who are missing in the races.

-- True to your words, "never miss a race," you came in second at the Izumo Ekiden marking the first, first podium finish in 14 years, and you also achieved a new team record of fifth place at the All Japan University Ekiden.

Yamaguchi: I feel like the results are showing that over the past four years we've become a team that can tackle "tough practice." "Tough practice" doesn't mean finishing practice by thinking, "This is good enough," but rather, can we add one more run from there? Can we tackle the mundane and tedious practice that isn't our favorite? I think that this continuity is what makes the team tough and creates a sense of stability.

Yamaguchi

--You placed fourth in the last Hakone Ekiden. Hopes are high for the podium next time, and beyond.

Yamaguchi: We only have one life, so can we say, "I won the Hakone Ekiden?" This is my last chance in my fourth year, and I want to share the joy with everyone on the team. Just as we came to Waseda because we admired Suguru Osako (graduated from School of Sport Sciences in 2014 and represented Japan in the marathon at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics), I want to run in a way that will inspire future Waseda students.

Maseda: We've steadily gotten stronger over the past four years, and we've finally reached a level where we think our generation could win. I'd like to end the season with a win.

--Many fans are looking forward to the relay race, from Mase Dash in the first section to Ace Yamaguchi in the second section.

Yamaguchi: For the past two Hakone races, we've been in charge of the first and second sections, but the race before that I ran well but Junpei didn't, and last time Junpei ran well but I didn't. Our goal is for us to both run perfectly together and get 100 points each.

Maseda: This will be my last relay as a student, and the last race of my competitive career. I want to give it my all and hand the baton over to Yamaguchi in the best possible position so he can run comfortably. I want to contribute to the team and win.

Maseta

--Once again, please give a message to the fans who are cheering you on along the road or in front of the TV.

Yamaguchi: Every year, the roadsides of the Hakone Ekiden are packed with people, but even so, we receive strong cheers. When I hear the names of other universities, I get a little worried that the other team might get excited (laughs), so please send us your enthusiastic support, whether it's our name, "Waseda!", or even just from in front of the TV. That will give us strength.

Maseda: That's right. The cheers are really encouraging. At Waseda, we are fortunate to hear a lot of enthusiastic cheers from alumni, but personally I would be happy if we could hear more lively cheers from current students (laughs).

Yamaguchi: We are aiming to win the overall championship for the first time in 15 years, and we want to work together as one team, not only with the players and staff, but also with the Waseda students and alumni who are cheering us on, to achieve victory.

Working backwards to become a "great mountain detective" and run the Hakone course

Shinsaku Kudo, third-year student, School of Sport Sciences, graduated from Yachiyo Shoin High School in Chiba Prefecture

Kudo

--In the last Hakone Ekiden, you ran the mountain climbing section 5 with a brilliant finish, coming in second place. Your name is similar to that of Shinichi Kudo, the main character of the anime "Detective Conan," and your appearance while running with glasses have led to your nickname "The Great Detective of the Mountains" becoming a trending word on social media.

Being the center of attention is not something that all runners get to experience, so I hope that instead of feeling pressured, I can enjoy it in a way.

-- You shine not only in the mountains, but also outside of them. At the World University Games in July this year, you competed in the half marathon wearing the Japanese flag and won the gold medal with a new tournament record. How would you analyze your growth so far?

Ever since I enrolled, my ultimate goal has been "to run the Olympic marathon someday." At the time, it was a bit of a stretch, but since enrolling, I have not stagnated and have actually grown more than I ever imagined. Now, my clear goal has changed to "competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics."

To achieve this, I need to achieve results in the Marathon Grand Championship, a qualifying race for the national team the year before the Olympics, which will be held in my first year as a working adult. So, one of my goals is to achieve results in a full marathon while I'm still a student, and now I'm focusing on completing the half marathon distance.

In July 2025, he represented Japan in the half marathon at the FISU World University Games held in Germany, winning the event. Kudo is in the center.

With the ekiden season upon us, you served as the anchor in both the Izumo Ekiden and the All-Japan University Ekiden, finishing 4th in your section at Izumo. At the All-Japan Ekiden, you won the section, breaking the Japanese section record for the 8th section held by your senior, Yasuyuki Watanabe (1992 graduate School of Human Sciences, former track and field club coach), for the first time in 30 years.

In the Izumo Ekiden, I had to catch up with the leader from a certain distance, so I set a fairly high pace, which resulted in me faltering at the end. I ran the All-Japan University Ekiden with that in mind.

Actually, even before the race, I thought it would be interesting to beat Watanabe's record. I'm really happy that I was able to break a record that hadn't been broken in 30 years, despite being run by many top racers.

He ran the anchor 8th leg of the All Japan University Ekiden in November 2025, setting a new record for a Japanese runner (Photo courtesy of Waseda Sports Newspaper Club)

--You calmly analyze your own abilities, make a plan, and then you have the strength to stick to it. You're like a great detective, but how do you imagine your running in the next Hakone Ekiden?

At Hakone, I would like to aim for the 5th section prize. The mountains of Hakone are harsh and their appearance changes dramatically depending on the weather, and there is a possibility of snow. Under those conditions, how much time can I gain by sticking to my own running style and helping Waseda win? Anyway, I want to run with the mindset of giving it my all and running to the very end.

Interview and text: Naoto Oguma (graduated from School of Letters, Arts and Sciences II in 2002)
X: @oguman1977
Photography: Nanako Ono

A must-have for watching the race ! List of entrants

The 16 entrants were announced on December 10th. Here are profiles of the 16 runners, written from the unique perspective of the Track and Field Club Manager who supports them on a daily basis. Watching the race with this in hand will bring you closer to the ekiden!

*Entry for the 10 sections will be announced on December 29th.

Tomonori Yamaguchi, 4th-year student, School of Sport Sciences,
graduated from Ishikawa High School, Fukushima Prefecture

The dependable captain of the relay team. During the two-month training camp in Melbourne in early spring, he returned to the team with a large-scale "Australian training" that not only improved his running but also his mindset. This season, he has been showing a series of impressive runs. #ノリノリ智規

Junpei Maseda, fourth-year student, School of Sport Sciences,
graduated from Tosu Technical High School, Saga Prefecture

This guy is the starter for Waseda University. He was injured early in the season, but he ran well and came in second in the first leg of the 2025 All Japan University Ekiden. His love for soccer is just as strong as his passion for track and field. #間瀬ダッシュ

Kotaro Ito, 4th-year student, School of Sport Sciences,
graduated from Saitama Prefectural Kasukabe High School

He showed the strongest running performance on the team at the Ageo Half Marathon, which is also the selection race for Hakone members. He has more love for Waseda than anyone else, and his knowledge of all the previous ekiden races is now comparable to a dictionary. #走れコウタロー

Rinta Miyaoka, 4th-year student, School of Commerce,
graduated from Kamakura Gakuen High School, Kanagawa Prefecture

He made his debut in the three major relay races at the 2025 All Japan University Ekiden. He is the most knowledgeable member of the team and can cover any topic. He has been a member for four consecutive years and is eager to run in his hometown of Shonan (sections 3 and 8) at Hakone. #リンタリンタ

Shinsaku Kudo, 3rd-year student, School of Sport Sciences,
graduated from Yachiyo Shoin High School, Chiba Prefecture

Needless to say, he is known as the "Great Mountain Detective." Every time he competes; his overwhelming running and impact increases his social media following. His goal at Hakone is to set an unprecedented new section record. Become a legend! #山の名探偵

Atsuyuki Kodaira, third-year student, School of Political Science and Economics,
graduated from Waseda Jitsugyo High School in Tokyo

He is a runner who is good at both academics and sports, and comes to morning practice earlier than anyone else and doesn't waste time. He also has a talent for writing, and the "Member's Diary" on the Track and Field Club website is an astonishing 4,000 words long. His passion for Hakone is stronger than anyone else's! #早稲田の隠れ熱男

Haruyoshi Takeda, 3rd-year student, School of Law,
graduated from Waseda Jitsugyo High School in Tokyo

He has been carrying the W jersey since he was a student at Waseda Jitsugyo Elementary School for 15 years. With his characteristic tenacity, he improved his 5000m time to 14 minutes and 6 seconds in the first half of the season. This year, he is determined to run in the Hakone Ekiden. #ハシルヨハルヨシ

Yuki Miyamoto, third-year student, School of Human Sciences,
graduated from Chiben Gakuen Wakayama High School, Wakayama Prefecture

He has been selected as a member of the All Japan University Ekiden entry team for the second year in a row. This year, his strength has been honed. Although his running has become more stable, his recent concern is that he can't decide on a hairstyle. It looks like he'll continue to search for a hairstyle for a while. #勇気100倍

Ibuki Yamazaki, third-year student, School of Sport Sciences,
graduated from Ishikawa High School, Fukushima Prefecture

In the last tournament, he ran well in the 6th section, a downhill section for the first time, bringing great momentum to the team. The trick to downhill is to "run smoothly like a bicycle." This time too, he is steadily improving. Apparently, he has been playing the guitar in his room recently. #いきいきいぶき

Gensuke Sema, second-year student, School of Sport Sciences,
graduated from Tokyo University of Agriculture Second High School, Gunma Prefecture

A Waseda University relay racer. In fact, he has been a die-hard Kamen Rider fan since childhood, and even his dorm room is lined with transformation belts. Will he be able to become the hero who leads his team to overall victory at Hakone? Good luck, Sema Rangers!! #異次元の瀬間元

Shunpei Yamaguchi, second-year student, School of Sport Sciences,
graduated from Saku Chosei High School, Nagano Prefecture

A man who knows about winning the national championship in high school relay races. While he cheers up the team as a mood maker, his expression changes completely once he starts running. With his clear-headed racing skills, he never misses a race he aims for. This year, he will carry the crimson sash again for his grandmother. #山口いまが竣ですよ

Nayabunaoki Yoshikura , second-year student, School of Social Sciences,
graduated from Waseda Jitsugyo High School in Tokyo

In his university debut in the 2025 Izumo Ekiden, he showed impressive running in the first leg, which was a very stressful race. With his outstanding style and cool features, which he learned in Pakistan, he also left an impression as he walked briskly around the campus. #スピードナヤビューン

Tetsu Sasaki, 1st-year student, School of Sport Sciences,
graduated from Saku Chosei High School, Nagano Prefecture

Although he is only a first-year student, he is a super rookie who has been active on the world stage, representing Japan at the Asian Championships and University Games. He is a playful guy, and his explosive running style makes the most of that personality in races. #初志貫哲

Rui Suzuki, 1st-year student, School of Sport Sciences,
graduated from Yachiyo Shoin High School, Chiba Prefecture

A super-sized rookie who competed in Izumo and the All-Japan Championships. He boldly challenges top athletes from each university and international students, racing with a style that is hard to believe he is a first-year student. In fact, he was on the soccer team until junior high school and has more experience in soccer than in track and field. #RUIFIRST

Makoto Tada, 1st-year student, School of Human Sciences,
graduated from Rakuhoku High School, Kyoto Prefecture

Despite being a regular student, he is a hard worker who entered the All Japan University Ekiden in his first year. He has a smooth running form that glides. His calm way of speaking and friendly personality have captivated some fans. #タダものではない

Shota Horino, 1st-year student, School of Sport Sciences,
graduated from Suma Gakuen High School in Hyogo Prefecture

He grew up in the Kansai region and is a natural mood maker. This season, despite being a first-year student, he ran in the Izumo Ekiden and the All-Japan University Ekiden. His strong point is his tough running style that doesn't give in to headwinds. He will reclaim the title of Japan's best team, something that the Hanshin Tigers were unable to achieve, by winning the Hakone Ekiden overall. #早稲田のほり出しもん