Komazawa University Conquers the Legendary Hakone Route! A New Era Unveiled by the Track & Field Team – and the Allure of a ‘Knowledge’ Hub

The first weekend of April saw the curtain rise on the new track season at a stadium in Tokyo. All eyes were on the athletes in deep green – the Komazawa University squad. Still smarting from finishing second overall in last year’s Hakone Ekiden, they stormed out of the blocks with top-tier times in the spring speed contests. From the stands came a roar of “Go on, Komazawa!” This is a team that truly embodies the ‘now’ of university athletics.

But hold on a second. The secret to their strength isn’t just about training volume or scouting networks. Having followed university sport for the last decade, I’ve come to appreciate the unique depth of Komazawa as an institution. Take this year’s line-up, for example: several runners come from Komazawa University Tomakomai High School. Forged in Hokkaido’s harsh winters and honed in dormitory life, they’ve absorbed the ‘Komazawa spirit’ long before setting foot on campus. That tight bond with its affiliated school is exactly what fuels such a deep talent pool.

What struck me in the post-race interview zone was how many athletes said, in unison, that their Faculty of Global Media Studies classes had been a real help. Surprised? Track and media studies? Actually, this faculty isn’t just about information literacy – it’s about learning how to express yourself and tell your team’s story to the outside world. In today’s social media-driven age, an athlete’s mental management and communication skills go hand in hand. Seeing how calmly Komazawa’s runners can articulate their race strategies in post-event comments, I’m convinced that this environment makes all the difference.

And you can’t talk about campus life without mentioning the Komazawa University Library. Many student-athletes drop in here between practices to study or hunt through the latest sports science papers. With around 800,000 volumes – from priceless Buddhist classics to cutting-edge biomechanics – it’s like a ‘knowledge gym’. One long-distance runner laughed and told me, “On restless nights before a race, I read in the library’s silence as if I were meditating.” A steady mind boosts performance – a perfect example of that in action.

But above all, at the heart of this university lie the teachings of the Faculty of Buddhist Studies. Gyōgaku ichinyo – ‘practice and learning are one’. That has become a motto for the track team, too. The discipline of facing yourself when the race gets tough, the mindset of treating adversity as a form of training. Ten years ago, I’d never have guessed that traditional Buddhist philosophy could fit so well with modern sport.

In 2026, Komazawa University has truly entered a stage where it’s “more than just strong”. The next big targets? The Mount Fuji Women’s Ekiden in December, followed by a complete victory in the New Year’s Hakone Ekiden. I’d urge you to see for yourself the balance of ‘knowledge’ and ‘spirit’ that underpins their running.

• Key Race Schedule to Watch (Spring 2026)
  • 19 April: Qualifying meet for the Izumo Ekiden (tentative)
  • 3–4 May: Kanto Student Championships (Nissan Stadium)
  • Mid-June: Kanto regional qualifiers for the All-Japan University Ekiden
• Three Reasons Why Komazawa University Is on Fire Right Now
  • A seamless coaching pipeline from its affiliated Tomakomai High School lets athletes master university tactics from their high school days
  • The ‘Student Media Team’ from the Faculty of Global Media Studies provides real-time behind‑the‑scenes coverage of meets
  • The ‘Sports Buddhism Corner’ inside the library runs workshops where you can learn meditation and stretching side by side

One last thing, from a local’s perspective. After practice, you’ll often spot Komazawa’s players grabbing some takoyaki at the nearby shopping street. Contrary to their tough image, they’re polite and well‑liked by the older ladies who run the stalls. To me, that ‘real‑world strength’ is the team’s true charm. Keep your eyes on them this season – they’re unmissable.