The 2024 All Japan High School Ekiden Championships took place on December 22 at the renowned Takebishi Stadium in Kyoto, featuring intense competition among elite high school runners across Japan. This year's event not only showcased remarkable talent but also introduced new regulations affecting the participation of foreign athletes, raising discussions about competitiveness in this traditional race.
The men's race witnessed 58 teams vying for supremacy, with佐久長聖 (Saku Chosei High School) defending their title. They emerged victorious for the second consecutive time, marking their fourth overall championship title, finishing the race with a time of 2 hours, 1 minute, and 33 seconds. The team showed remarkable resilience, particularly during the latter stages when they had to fend off strong competition from rival schools like大牟田 (Omuta) and 仙台育英 (Sendai Ikuei).
Key highlights included Ryuuin Suzuki from 八千代松陰 (Yachiyo Shoin) who set a new personal best, clocking 28 minutes and 43 seconds during the 10-kilometer first leg, surpassing the previous Japanese record of 28 minutes and 48 seconds set by佐藤一世 (Issei Saito) and折田壮太 (Sota Orida) in previous competitions. His exceptional performance not only stunned competitors but also showcased the high level of endurance and speed present among Japan's young athletes.
Meanwhile, the women's division was similarly competitive, with長野東 (Nagano East) taking the gold with a time of 1 hour, 7 minutes, and 27 seconds. The performance from Sendai Ikuei secured them the second position closely behind at 1 hour and 7 minutes, 45 seconds, indicating the strength of teams from Nagano Prefecture this year.
With both events, the introduction of new regulations limiting foreign students' participation to shorter segments has become the center of discussion among coaches and spectators. Previously, foreign athletes could influence races significantly, and many believe limiting their roles may lead to increased competition among Japanese runners. Keisuke Manako, the coach who formerly led仙台育英, expressed his concern stating, "I was actually disappointed about the changes. Foreign athletes have had such a meaningful impact on the competitions, pushing our local talent to excel."
Manako’s sentiments reflect widespread belief among coaching circles, where the increased level of participation and competitive spirit brought by these athletes has historically enhanced the sport.
The event at Takebishi Stadium not only highlighted the competitive nature of high school ekiden running but focused on the community spirit surrounding athletics. Encouragingly, participants like 高知工業 (Kochi Industrial High School) and 学法石川 (Gakuhō Ishikawa High School) showed promising talent, indicating sustained excitement and interest as these students aim for victory at this prestigious championship.
While the championships have concluded, the adjustments made this year provoke questions about the future of high school ekiden racing and how new talents can step up to fill the void left by past standout foreign runners. Competitiveness and motivation are at the heart of the ekiden tradition, instilling values of teamwork and resilience among runners.
The 2024 All Japan High School Ekiden Championships not only celebrates youth athletic excellence but is also pivotal to shaping the future of high school athletics across Japan. With fresh talent ready to take center stage and the anticipation of the upcoming championships, one thing is clear: the passion for ekiden running runs deep, affirming its place as one of Japan's cherished traditions.
