The inaugural race of the "Osaka/Kansai Expo Opening Commemoration ACN EXPO EKIDEN 2025," held on March 16, 2025, showcased fierce competition as top corporate and university men's teams clashed at Expo Memorial Park, Suita City, Osaka. The event featured 16 teams racing through a challenging 7-section course totaling 54.5 kilometers, marking the first occasion where such teams directly faced off against each other.
Starting at 9:00 AM, participants braved light rain and cool temperatures, around 10.6 degrees Celsius, as they embarked on this historic ekiden. Among the standout teams was Toyota Motor, which clinched victory with an impressive finish time of 2 hours, 32 minutes, and 48 seconds. Their performance demonstrated remarkable consistency, maintaining the lead throughout all sections of the race.
The competition brought together energy from both corporate giants and aspiring athletes from renowned universities, including Aoyama Gakuin University and Kokugakuin University. Toyota seized control right from the beginning, with Yoshiju Owawa establishing their dominance. He completed the first section at lightning speed, handing over to the next runner with over 20 seconds of advantage.
"I was focused on leading the first section and was relieved to connect with the next runner first," expressed Owawa. The teamwork among Toyota's runners was evident as they maintained the pace across all sections, witnessing strong performances from key athletes like Tomoki Ota, the holder of the Japanese half marathon record. Ota's solid run in section three invigorated the team, extending their lead to over two minutes.
Fujitsu closely followed, finishing the race strong, only 1 minute and 14 seconds behind. Prince of the university runners, Kokugakuin University, secured the third position, affirmatively displaying their capabilities against formidable corporate teams. Their coach, Yasuhiro Maeda, acknowledged the fierceness of competition and the pride with which corporate teams battled.
Meanwhile, Aoyama Gakuin University, reigning champions of the Hakone Ekiden and boasting previous accolades, faced challenges during this race. Coach Aoshin Hara, who had led them to their eighth Hakone victory earlier this year, reflected on this new competitive environment. "I hope this experience will not just be about one event but lead to future competitions," he stated, emphasizing the importance of cultivating opportunities for young athletes.
Conditions throughout the race varied with the addition of slight rain, creating slick spots for runners and adding to the challenge. The course offered scenic views of iconic Osaka landmarks, weaving through key locations like Osaka Castle Park and Dotonbori before heading to the final stretch at Yumeshima.
The excitement did not end at the finish line; discussions arose about the future of such competitive races. With calls from Hara to continue this initiative, many athletes recognized the event as advantageous for training and preparation. Hara confidently declared, "This event should not end with just one occurrence, we must keep this momentum going. The enthusiasm of the fans was overwhelming, and I want our athletes to feel inspired by it," he said.
Following the race, Toyota Motor's coach, Takeshi Kumamoto, thanked the spectators who lined the route. "We are grateful for the many fans' support along the road, which helped us maintain our lead. Winning under pressure was memorable, and this event gave us the stage to showcase corporate athleticism for everyone to see," he expressed, proud of his team's performance.
Although competitors like Fujitsu and Kokugakuin University put forth their best efforts, they could not match Toyota's pace. The corporate team dominance was palpable, yet the university teams exhibited determination and skill, hinting at promising futures for their programs.
The race concluded with Toyota Motor holding the top position, making it clear they are formidable competitors within the long-distance running community. Their legacy ensures they are not just defending champions but key players who are pushing the boundaries of corporate athletics.
The event's success serves as evidence of the growing interest and support for ekiden races, fostering collaboration between academic institutions and corporate teams. Organizer hopes for a recurring event could lead to expanded competitions, creating broader opportunities for budding talent across Japan.
This historic ekiden may just be the start of many collaborative race formats, bringing together aspiring athletes and seasoned corporations alike, driving innovation and excellence on the fields.