The 2024 All Japan High School Ekiden Championships took place on December 22, 2024, at the Takebishi Stadium Kyoto, drawing intense competition from schools across the country. Teams from varied regions showcased outstanding athleticism and team spirit, facing off across both male and female divisions.
The female category saw Saitama Sakae High School making its mark with impressive grit, finishing 10th place with a time of 1 hour 10 minutes and 3 seconds. Despite occasional setbacks, this was their 28th appearance at the championships, which highlights their consistent performance. The men’s team, participating for the 44th time, concluded the race with 2 hours 6 minutes and 20 seconds, securing the 15th position.
On the women’s side, they started their race with Fukumoto putting forth a strong effort, beginning at the 11th place with 18 seconds trailing the lead. Shifting through sections, Nagahama maintained their standing during her leg. Matsumura, competing against strong international runners, displayed great competitive spirit, enabling the team to climb up to the 10th rank.
Meanwhile, Saitama Sakae's men's team experienced challenges right from the start, as their ace runner, Kishimoto, finished 31st, significantly delaying the team. Nevertheless, successors like Ine and Baba built momentum, invigorated by solid performances from upperclassmen and the impressive debut of first-years, contributing to their final ranking.
This year also marked the first time regional representation was established as part of the competition framework. A total of 58 teams engaged, making the event more inclusive and representative of high school levels across Japan.
Notable among the contestants was Kangawa’s Kamimura Gakuen, who finished fifth, aspiring to build on their success from the previous year. Their captain, Ogura, noted the resolve within her team, emphasizing the importance of perseverance throughout the event. Meanwhile, Hiei High School wrapped up this year’s championship with the boys’ team finishing 56th, and the girls’ team placing 44th, enriching their experience at this prestigious level.
Coaches expressed pride and constructive feedback for their teams. For Saitama Sakae, Coach Tamura highlighted the tenacity shown—despite falling short of their original goals, he acknowledged the competitive spirit and the capability for growth next year. He stressed the need for future athletes to close the gap with ace Fukumoto, who has been pivotal to their progress over the years.
Another prevailing theme at this championship was the fostering of senior-junior camaraderie. Young runners embraced the support of their senior counterparts, showcasing the essence of teamwork and the significance of mentorship within their training dynamics.
These achievements were underscored by the challenges the athletes faced—particularly on the girls' side, where Fukumoto fell early on but regained her composure to uphold the team’s position with sheer determination. By the end of the race, she reflected positively on her performance, attributing her turnaround to previous experiences and the resilience she cultivated over the season.
Reflecting on the overarching goals, athletes like Matsumura articulated their eagerness to absorb the lessons learned. His aspirations for next year include aiming higher to break the top five barrier. Saitama Sakae demonstrated not only prowess but also the potential to build on this through individual and collective growth.
The event was filled with hard-fought battles, strategic maneuvers, and inspiring personal narratives, captured beautifully by participating coaches, parents, and spectators alike. With ambitions set for continuous improvement, these young athletes pave their way forward, geared up with lessons learned, aspirations ignited, and bonds solidified.
This year’s All Japan High School Ekiden Championships has once again illustrated the spirit, determination, and resolve of high-school athletes, ushering them toward their much-anticipated goals for the coming years.
