Komazawa University Dominates the Legendary Hakone Ekiden! How the Track & Field Team Ushers in a New Era—and the Allure of a “Knowledge” Hub
The first week of April marked the start of the track season at a stadium in Tokyo. All eyes were on the athletes of Komazawa University in their deep green uniforms. Carrying the sting of a second-place overall finish in last year’s Hakone Ekiden, they wasted no time in posting top-tier times in the spring speed showdown. From the stands, you could hear shouts of “Go Komazawa, you’ve got this!” This is one team that truly embodies the current energy of university track and field.
But hold on—the secret to their strength isn’t just about training volume or recruiting networks. After a decade covering university sports, I’ve come to appreciate the unique depth of character that Komazawa possesses. Take this year’s roster: it includes several runners from Komazawa University Tomakomai High School. Forged in Hokkaido’s harsh winters and honed in dormitory life, these athletes absorb the “Komazawa spirit” even before they enrol. That strong pipeline from its affiliated high school is what fuels such a deep talent pool.
What really caught my attention in the post-race interview zone was how many athletes said that their Faculty of Global Media Studies classes had come in handy. Surprised? Track and media studies? Actually, this faculty doesn’t just teach digital literacy—it dives deep into how to express yourself and how to broadcast your team’s story to the outside world. In today’s social-media-driven era, an athlete’s mental game and ability to communicate are inseparable. Standing there on the sidelines, I could feel how much Komazawa’s environment helps its runners calmly break down their race strategies in post-race comments.
And let’s not forget the Komazawa University Library—a key part of campus life. Many student-athletes study here between practices, digging through the latest sports science papers. With around 800,000 volumes, it’s like a “knowledge gym,” housing everything from rare Buddhist classics (a nod to the university’s roots) to cutting-edge sports biomechanics research. One distance runner joked, “On nervous nights before a race, I find peace in the library’s silence and read as if I’m meditating.” A perfect example of how mental stability boosts performance.
Above all, the foundation of this university lies in the teachings of the Faculty of Buddhist Studies: “Gyōgaku Ichinyo” — action and learning are one. That has become a motto for the track team too. How to face yourself when the race gets tough; how to see adversity as training. Honestly, ten years ago I never would have imagined that traditional Buddhist philosophy could fit so seamlessly with modern sports.
In 2026, Komazawa University has truly entered a stage where it’s “more than just strong.” Their next big goals are, of course, the Mount Fuji Women’s Ekiden in December, and then a clean sweep of the Hakone Ekiden after the new year. I hope you’ll see for yourself the balance of knowledge and spirit that powers their running.
- Upcoming Key Race Schedule (Spring 2026)
- April 19: Record Meet (also serving as Izumo selection race) – tentative
- May 3-4: Kanto Student Championship (Nissan Stadium)
- Mid-June: All-Japan University Ekiden Kanto Qualifier
- 3 Reasons Komazawa University Is on Fire Right Now
- Seamless coaching from affiliated Tomakomai High School lets athletes learn university-level tactics starting in high school
- The “Student Media Team” from the Faculty of Global Media Studies delivers real-time behind-the-scenes coverage of meets
- The “Sports Buddhism Corner” in the library hosts workshops that combine meditation and stretching
One last note from a local: after practice, you’ll often see Komazawa runners grabbing takoyaki at the nearby shopping arcade. Despite any tough-guy image, they’re polite and well-loved by the shop ladies. To me, that down-to-earth strength is the real charm of this team. I’ll be watching them closely this season.