Komazawa University Conquers the Legendary Hakone Ekiden! How Their Track & Field Team Ushers in a New Era — and the Power 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 in dark green: the Komazawa University squad. Carrying the sting of last year’s second-place finish in the Hakone Ekiden, they burst out of the blocks this spring with top-class times. From the stands, you could hear the roar: “Go Komazawa, you’ve got this!” Without a doubt, this is one of the teams that truly embodies the “now” of university athletics.

But hold on a second. The secret to their strength isn’t just training volume or recruitment. After a decade covering university sports, I’ve come to feel that Komazawa has a unique depth. Take this season’s roster: it includes several runners from Komazawa University Tomakomai High School up in Hokkaido. Braving harsh winters and honed through dorm life, these athletes absorb the “Komazawa spirit” before they even set foot on campus. That solid link with their affiliated high school is what fuels an incredibly deep talent pool.

What really caught my attention in the post-race interview zone was how many athletes said, “Faculty of Global Media Studies classes have been a real help.” You might be thinking, “Come again? Running and media studies?” The fact is, this faculty isn’t just about information literacy. It teaches you how to express yourself and how to share your team’s story with the outside world. In today’s social‑media‑driven world, an athlete’s mental game and communication skills are inseparable. Standing there on the sidelines, I could really feel that Komazawa runners can calmly break down their race strategies in interviews precisely because of this environment.

And no look at campus life would be complete without mentioning the Komazawa University Library. Between training sessions, many student‑athletes come here to study on their own, digging through the latest sports‑science papers. The collection holds around 800,000 volumes. From rare classics that reflect the university’s Buddhist heritage to cutting‑edge sports biomechanics, it’s like a “gym for the mind.” One long‑distance runner told me with a laugh, “On restless nights before a race, I sit in the library’s quiet and read as if I were doing zazen.” A calm mind lifts your performance — a perfect example, if you ask me.

But underlying everything is the teaching of Komazawa University’s Faculty of Buddhist Studies: “Gyōgaku ichinyo” — action and learning are one. That phrase has become a motto for the track team. How to face yourself when the race gets tough, how to see adversity as training. Honestly, ten years ago I would never have imagined that traditional Buddhist philosophy could fit modern sport so well.

In 2026, Komazawa University has entered a stage where they are “more than just strong.” The next big goals are, of course, the Mount Fuji Women’s Ekiden in December and a total victory in the Hakone Ekiden after New Year’s. I hope you’ll see for yourself the balance of “knowledge” and “spirit” that underpins their running.

• Upcoming Key Races (Spring 2026)
  • April 19: Izumo Qualifying Record Meet (scheduled)
  • May 3–4: Kanto Intercollegiate Championships (Nissan Stadium)
  • Mid‑June: All‑Japan University Ekiden Kanto Qualifier
• 3 Reasons Komazawa University Is on Fire Right Now
  • A seamless pipeline with their Tomakomai High School affiliate, letting athletes learn university tactics from their high school days
  • A “student media team” born from the Faculty of Global Media Studies, giving real‑time behind‑the‑scenes coverage of meets
  • The “Sports Buddhism Corner” inside the library, offering workshops that combine zazen meditation with stretching

Finally, a word from a local. After practice, you often see Komazawa runners grabbing takoyaki at the nearby shopping arcade. Despite their tough on‑track image, they’re polite and well‑liked by the neighbourhood’s shopkeepers. To me, that everyday, grounded strength is the team’s real charm. I’ll be watching them closely this season — and you should too.