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Juntendo Wins 2nd-Straight National Mixed Team University Ekiden


The 2nd annual National Mixed Team University Ekiden took place Sunday the 20th in Osaka on a six-stage, 20 km course around Nagai Park. Counting two Hakone Ekiden runners in its lineup, Juntendo University finished in the top spot again in 1:01:19, 34 seconds faster than its winning time last year. Chuo University was 2nd in 1:01:30, with Kansai University 3rd in 1:01:50.

Juntendo Hakone runner Kazuki Ishii was 5th on the 3.0 km opening leg, just 6 seconds behind leader Kazuto Iizawa (Tokai Univ.). Second runner Shion Ono ran the fastest time on her leg to put Juntendo into 1st. Having played a key role in Juntendo's 2nd-place finish at Hakone in January where he was 3rd on the competitive Third Stage, 3rd-year Tatsuya Iyoda won the 5 km Third Stage for the second year in a row, running a strong 14:18 to add a big chunk to Juntendo's lead. Anchor Mao Kogure was almost caught by Chuo's Ayuka Kazama, but with 600 m to go she kicked hard to bring Juntendo in to the win.

"This is the only chance to run on an ekiden team with both men and women," Iyoda said. "I hope that winning at this ekiden will give everyone at our school a little extra motivation." Juntendo head coach Shunsuke Nagato commented, "Having gotten a taste of the win here today, I hope that it will inspire them to keep pursuing the win."

2nd National Mixed Team University Ekiden

Nagai Park, Osaka, 20 Feb. 2022
23 teams, 6 stages, 20.0 km

Top Individual Stage Performances
First Stage (3.0 km, men) - Kazuto Iizawa (Tokai Univ.) - 8:12 - CR
Second Stage (2.0 km, women) - Shion Ono (Juntendo Univ.) - 6:15
Third Stage (5.0 km, men) - Tatsuya Iyoda (Juntendo Univ.) - 14:18
Fourth Stage (3.0 km, women) - Risa Yamazaki (Nittai Univ.) - 9:29 - CR
Fifth Stage (2.0 km, men) - Yasuhiro Katsuki (Toyo Univ.) - 5:21 - CR
Sixth Stage (5.0 km, women) - Rinka Hida (Ritsumeikan Univ.) - 16:31 - CR

Top Team Results
1. Juntendo University - 1:01:19 - CR
2. Chuo University - 1:01:30 (CR)
3. Kansai University - 1:01:50 (CR)
4. Nittai University - 1:01:58
5. Ritsumeikan University - 1:02:03
6. Toyo University - 1:02:10
7. Takushoku University - 1:02:14
8. Tsukuba University - 1:02:54
9. Josai University - 1:03:04
10. Kansai Region Select Team - 1:04:05

source articles:
translated and edited by Brett Larner

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