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Comodi Iida Scores First Towada Hachimantai Ekiden Win


The 78th Towada Hachimantai Ekiden took place Aug. 2 in Akita and Aomori. Covering a 5-stage, 71.4 km course from Lake Towada to Hachimantai, this year's race saw the Tokyo Police Department B team out strong with a lead over the opening stages. The Comodi Iida team was back in 5th. A stage win by its second runner Brian Kiptoo moved Comodi Iida up to 2nd, but after that it fell back to 3rd, then 4th.

Starting 1:32 behind anchor stage leader Chuo Hatsujo, Comodi Iida anchor Akihiro Kaneko ran brilliantly on the uphill final stage, clocking its fastest time this year to move into 1st for the win. Since it first ran the Towada Hachimantai Ekiden in 2015 it was Comodi Iida's first victory.

Having changed its team from Fujisan no Meisui this season, Fujisan GX was 2nd, followed by Chuo Hatsujo and Komori Corporation.

78th Towada Hachimantai Ekiden

Akita and Aomori, 2 August 2025
17 teams, 5 stages, 71.4 km

Top Team Results
1. Comodi Iida - 3:50:44
2. Fujisan GX - 3:51:26
3. Chuo Hatsujo - 3:51:46
4. Komori Corporation - 3:52:02
5. Tokyo Police Department A - 3:59:14
6. Tokyo Police Department B - 4:00:25
7. Hokuriku Region Corporate Select Team - 4:02:04
8. Fukushima Track and Field Association - 4:11:33

Top Individual Stage Performances
First Stage (13.0 km, 194 m climb) - Ryota Seki (Tokyo Police Dept. B) - 39:37
Second Stage (13.0 km, 203 m descent) - Brian Kiptoo (Comodi Iida) - 37:18
Third Stage (15.7 km, 8 m climb) - Antipas Kibet (Komori Corp.) - 45:49
Fourth Stage (15.9 km, 156 m climb) - Kaede Shinohara (Fujisan GX) - 50:12
Fifth Stage (13.8 km, 645 m climb) - Akihiro Kaneko (Comodi Iida) - 50:34

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