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Takushoku Women Qualify for National University Women's Ekiden Without Fuwa


The Kanto Region qualifier for October's National University Women's Ekiden took place Sunday in Inzai, Chiba on a 6-stage, 34.4 km course, its first time in 3 years back on the roads. 5th at Nationals last year, Nittai University won in 1:55:03, its first time to win the qualifier in 8 years. 2021 Nationals 3rd-placer Takushoku University was 2nd in 1:55:33.

Takushoku ran without collegiate 10000 m NR holder Seira Fuwa, who won the Sept. 10 National University Track and Field Championships 10000 m in a comeback from an injury in January. Planning for "a race that wouldn't rely on one runner," head coach Toshiharu Igarashiwas very positive about finishing only 30 seconds behind Nittai, saying, "Our goal was 5th. Having exceeded that by a long shot is going to pay off later."

Igarashi spoke well of senior Kae Gyu, who handled the longest stage, 8.6 km. "The results of everything she's done up to now are starting to come out now," he said with a big smile. "Once we add Seira into the mix we'll be strong. Last year we weren't planning to get 3rd at Nationals. This year I want them to run up to ability and equal that."

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translated by Brett Larner

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