On December 22, 2023, the 75th National High School Ekiden Championships took place at Takebishi Stadium in Kyoto, showcasing the remarkable talents of high school runners across Japan. The event saw teams of seven relay runners tackle the full marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers, stitched together by their collective endurance and strategy.
This year’s championships turned heads as Ōmuta High School from Fukuoka claimed second place, marking significant progress after finishing sixth last year. The team, which was competing for the 45th time, showcased their strength with remarkable finishes across several segments. Contender Ken Shun Noda stood out among teammates, proudly reflecting on his performance and the invigorated team spirit.
Noda, who anchored the fourth leg of the race, received the baton with Ōmuta sitting fourth, 37 seconds behind the lead. The roar of the crowd sparked his enthusiasm, prompting him to respond with multiple fist pumps as he navigated the 8-kilometer stretch. His infectious energy significantly reduced the gap, bringing his team closer to third place, trailing only 2 seconds behind the leading pack.
“I think I raised my hand about 20 times during the run thanks to the cheers. I wanted to convey to the supporters my feelings of gratitude and give courage and emotion through my performance,” Noda remarked, underlining how the vocal support transformed his race strategy.
His head coach, Ken Akai, described Noda’s performance as exceptional, albeit with a humorous note: “It was tremendously excellent; maybe he raised his hand too much! But there’s no denying it showed good conditions. Here at Ōmuta, we’ve always believed you should have the leeway to respond to cheers.” Akai’s delight spoke volumes about the school’s ethos — prioritizing support and camaraderie.
Finishing the relay, Noda handed off to fellow runner Tsukada Tsubasa, who maintained the team’s momentum. And right behind them was Morimoto Mori, who also clinched segment honors, moving the team from their earlier position, setting the stage for their lead-off on the final leg.
Despite their later struggle against Nagano’s championship team, Sakunami Seishi High School, Ōmuta closed the race with determination, finishing precisely 24 seconds behind them with a remarkable time of 2 hours, 1 minute, and 57 seconds.
Sakunami Seishi secured their fourth consecutive win, making waves among the high school running community and leaving other regions wishing to improve on this year’s accomplishments. Notably, schools such as Kyushu Gakuin from Kumamoto and Toritsu Kōgyō from Saga also found themselves finishing strong, clinching sixth and seventh places respectively, showing the depth of talent from the Kyushu and Okinawa areas.
The atmosphere throughout the event was electric, as spectators cheered passionately, fostering not just competition but camaraderie among the teams. Reflecting on their success, Noda concluded, “This year we ran as the best team, and it’s something I will always cherish. We reached just one step shy of victory, but it was not just the runners, it was teamwork across the board.”
The female division claimed its share of excitement as well, with previous champions Kamimura Gakuen of Kagoshima finishing fifth and Chikushi Jogakuen High School from Fukuoka landing at seventh. The dynamic display from both male and female categories illustrated the competitive spirit and aspiration embedded within the National High School Ekiden Championships.
The event not only celebrated athletic excellence but underscored the essence of teamwork and dedication, promising another thrilling edition next year.
