On December 22, 2024, the National High School Ekiden Race showcased the talents of young runners, most noticeably Rin Kubo from Higashiosaka Daikaei High School, who delivered an impressive performance by moving from 21st to 5th place during her section of the race. With her time of 12:47, Kubo not only secured the top award for her segment but also propelled her team to its first-ever top-6 finish at the national level.
The day began cold, with temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, but Kubo's spirit was far from dampened as she received the baton, lagging behind the leaders by 53 seconds. Her strategy? To overtake as many runners as possible, which she accomplished with remarkable speed and poise, passing 16 competitors along the way. "I ran with the intention of overtaking as many as I could because of the team and the atmosphere around me," Kubo reflected after the race. Her outstanding performance symbolized resilience and determination, especially after missing last year's competition due to health issues.
This year’s Ekiden featured notable changes to the competition structure, including alterations to how foreign students could participate, which some teams leveraged strategically. Kubo's coach, Masazumi Noguchi, expressed optimism about the adjustments, noting, "Having Kubo run where foreign athletes cannot show up allowed us to plan effectively for this race. Her talent truly shines under these new rules."
Kubo's training regime leading up to the race had focused not just on speed but also on endurance, fine-tuning her capabilities to transition from track events to road running. Though primarily known for her prowess on the track, Kubo’s agility on the course had fans cheering her on. Beyond Kubo, the race was highly competitive, with Nagano East taking the championship title for the second time and Saku Chosei winning the men's race consecutively.
While eliminating 16 competitors showcased her competitive spirit, Kubo also acknowledged the significance of support from the audience. "Hearing them say ‘Rin-chan, good luck’ was incredibly motivating and helped keep my focus strong throughout the race," she shared, capturing the essence of the event's communal aspect.
The race represented not just individual glory but collective achievement for Kubo and her teammates, who finished with a time of 1 hour and 8 minutes for the entire course. It was a remarkable leap from last year's 35th place which showed the evolution of Kubo not just as a runner but as part of a team effort where each member contributes to the relay's success.
Looking forward, Kubo aims to continue her upward momentum, setting her goals on the 2025 Tokyo World Championship and the potential of competing for Olympic accolades. "I believe the endurance I've developed will serve me well for upcoming events, and I want to strive for even higher results next year," Kubo relayed her ambitions, showing determination. With her aptitude and newly cemented reputation, Kubo hopes her future will lead her to even greater accomplishments.
Overall, the National High School Ekiden Race exemplified the spirit of competition and showcased future athletic potential—led by young talents like Rin Kubo, who is quickly becoming a name to watch on both national and international stages.
