The 102nd Hakone Ekiden Goes Nationwide: A New Era for Japanese Athletics

Japan's most prestigious university relay race is breaking its regional barriers. On January 2, 2026, the 102nd Hakone Ekiden kicked off with a special format that allows universities from across the entire country to compete, a rare event that occurs only once every four years. What was once a Kanto-exclusive tradition has transformed into a true national championship, heightening the stakes for runners and fans alike.

102nd Hakone Ekiden Nationwide Expansion and Strategy

According to NHK, the expansion of the 102nd Hakone Ekiden to national participants has reshaped team strategies. Susumu Hara, the renowned head coach of Aoyama Gakuin University, announced his "Shine Strategy" (Kagayake Daisakusen) during a talk event on December 10. He emphasized that for his team to win against a broader pool of competitors, every individual runner must "shine" as a protagonist on the asphalt, signaling his ambition for another title in this historic edition.

Record-Breaking Momentum Across All Levels

The energy from Hakone is fueled by a string of record-breaking performances in late 2025 and early 2026. On January 1, the GMO Internet Group secured its first-ever victory at the New Year Ekiden (Corporate Championship) with a new course record. This followed the High School Championships on December 21, where Gakuhou Ishikawa claimed the boys' title with a tournament record, and Nagano Higashi won the girls' race for the second consecutive year. The depth of talent in Japanese long-distance running has never been more apparent.