On March 16, 2025, the ACN Expo Ekiden came to life as corporate teams and universities faced off for supremacy at the Expo '70 Commemorative Park in Osaka. This thrilling race, which unfolded over 54.5 kilometers across seven sections, saw Toyota Motor Corporation claim victory.
The competition kicked off at 9 AM, with corporate team runners and university athletes lining up at the start. Among the early contenders was Yuto Hiyatsu from GMO Internet Group, who took the lead initially. But it was Yuki Ito of Komazawa University who surged forward at around the 5 km mark, pulling alongside Toyota's Yamato Yoshikura and Aoyama Gakuin's Masaya Hatakawa. The top three athletes engaged in fierce competition, but it was Yoshikura who took charge, finishing the first section (8.9 km) with a remarkable time of 24 minutes and 58 seconds — the fastest of the day, securing the section award.
Finishing just four seconds later, Ito came second, showcasing the strength of the university teams against seasoned corporate runners. Masaya Hatakawa ended the section third, 12 seconds behind, as the tension mounted for the remaining legs of the race.
Throughout the event, Kinuguin University and Aoyama Gakuin University stood out, with both schools consistently contesting the top spots among corporate teams. Aoyama Gakuin University entered the race with high expectations, buoyed by their impressive 3rd place finish at the All-Japan Corporate Ekiden (New Year Ekiden) earlier this year. Coach Susumu Hara had confidently branded this challenge as part of their 'Wanpaku Operation' aimed at boosting the students' competitive spirit.
During the event, Azuma Riku and Kuroda Ran from Aoyama Gakuin had mixed results, with Azuma struggling and finishing 14th during the fourth leg. "I would give my Wanpaku Operation a score of zero," he reflected. Hara, slightly more optimistic, scored the overall execution at 50 points, but made it clear he expected more from his athletes.
Competing teams included Sumitomo Electric, which faced challenges, with their performance falling significantly behind. Takuya Sunaoka from Sumitomo Electric noted difficulties early on, finishing the first section 2 minutes and 17 seconds behind the leading runners.
Heartened by university performances, Aoyama Gakuin University was determined to make their mark. By the end of the race, they landed 7th overall, cementing their standing as the fourth-best university team with a total time of 2 hours, 35 minutes, and 58 seconds. Their performance certainly validated their participation among the corporate elites.
With the overall race concluding around 11:30 AM, results revealed Toyota Motor Corporation not only won the race but also claimed the day’s top time at 2:32:48, followed closely by Fujitsu at 2:34:02 and Kokugakuin University at 2:34:18. The underdog, Teikyo University, also made headlines, finishing 4th with 2:35:18, illustrating how close the competition was and how university teams were able to hold their ground against established corporate powerhouses.
Across the segment awards for each lap, standout performances were noted: Ishama Imae of GMO Internet Group won the second leg, clocking 14 minutes and 19 seconds, Tomoki Ota from Toyota won the third section, finishing with 34 minutes and 6 seconds, and Cosen Daniel from Fujitsu claimed the fourth section with 14 minutes and 39 seconds.
Relatively new to this arena, this Ekiden event served as the first direct competition between university and corporate teams. Hopes for the future are high as the subsequent annual races are anticipated. Toyota's dominating presence showcased their experience and preparedness, with Coach Kumagai expressing pride as they maintained momentum throughout the event.
The Expo Ekiden also highlighted the growth of new talent. Emerging junior athletes from university backgrounds showed potential, and with the All-Japan relay races upcoming, coaches are optimistic about fostering the next generation of elite runners. Director Hara concluded by stating, “The push from our younger runners is revitalizing for our squad and will only get us stronger for the next competition.”
With electrifying performances and the spirit of sportsmanship on both the corporate and academic sides, the Expo Ekiden 2025 will be remembered as not just another race, but as a landmark event laying the groundwork for future national running opportunities.