Nittai University Breaks CR at National Mixed-Gender University Ekiden

The 5th annual National Mixed-Gender University Ekiden took place Sunday in Osaka's Nagai Park. Its 6-leg course totaling 20 km, the race broke down into individual legs of 3 km, 2 km, 5 km, 3 km, 2 km and 5 km, with men and women from competing universities alternating on each leg. Nittai University returned to the top position, breaking the overall CR with its winning time of 58:27.

Nittai's Hiroto Takamura led off in only 6th, but second runner Kazuyo Iida had a good run to move up into 2nd, putting third runner Ryota Tominaga into position to take the lead. Once out front Nittai's remaining 3 runners Risa Yamazaki, Takanori Wakesu and Yuiri Ogata held onto 1st the rest of the way to the win.

Daito Bunka University was 2nd in 59:17 in its debut at the event, with last year's winner Juntendo University taking 3rd this time in 59:53.

5th National Mixed-Gender University Ekiden

Nagai Park, Osaka, 16 Sept. 2025

21 teams, 6 legs, 20.0 km

complete results

Top Individual Stage Results

First Stage (men, 3.0 km)

1. Yudai Katakawa (Asia Univ.) - 8:02 - CR

2. Yuki Murao (Juntendo Univ.) - 8:05 (CR)

3. Kio Furuhashi (Surugadai Univ.) - 8:06 (CR)

Second Stage (women, 2.0 km)

1. Airi Tajima (Juntendo Univ.) - 6:04 - CR

2. Yura Tanaka (Tsukuba Univ.) - 6:06 (CR)

3. Kazuyo Iida (Nittai Univ.) - 6:11 (CR)

Third Stage (men, 5.0 km)

1. Ryota Tominaga (Nittai Univ.) - 13:45 - CR

2. Kaito Kojima (Kyoto Sangyo Univ.) - 14:11

3. Yugo Nishidai (Daito Bunka Univ.) - 14:12

Fourth Stage (women, 3.0 km)

1. Sarah Wanjiru (Daito Bunka Univ.) - 9:02 - CR

2. Risa Yamazaki (Nittai Univ.) - 9:21 (CR)

3. Miu Suzuki (Tsukuba Univ.) - 9:30

Fifth Stage (men, 2.0 km)

1. Takanori Wakesu (Nittai Univ.) - 5:20 - CR

1. Rio Osawa (Daito Bunka Univ.) - 5:20 - CR

1. Takumi Shiobara (Juntendo Univ.) - 5:20 - CR

Sixth Stage (women, 5.0 km)

1. Yuiri Ogata (Nittai Univ.) - 15:42 - CR

2. Ayaka Maeda (Kansai Univ.) - 15:55 (CR)

2. Haruka Ogawa (Rikkyo Univ.) - 15:55 (CR)

Team Results

1. Nittai University - 58:27 - CR

2. Daito Bunka University - 59:17 (CR)

3. Juntendo University - 59:53 (CR)

4. Surugadai University - 1:00:17

5. Tsukuba University - 1:00:26

6. Kansai University - 1:00:38

7. Rikkyo University - 1:00:43

8. Kyoto Sangyo University - 1:00:54

9. Josai University - 1:00:58

10. Chuo University - 1:01:02

11. Ritsumeikan University - 1:01:14

12. Asia University - 1:01:18

13. Takushoku University - 1:01:53

14. Toyo University - 1:01:58

15. Kantaiheiyo University - 1:03:09

OP - Kansai Region Select Team - 1:03:49

16. Bukkyo University - 1:04:03

17. Waseda University - 1:04:13

18. Setsunan University - 1:04:15

19. Doshisha University - 1:05:30

20. Meiji Kokusai Iryo University - 1:06:10

source article:

https://www.rikujyokyogi.co.jp/archives/162069

translated by Brett Larner

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