Komazawa University Conquers the Legendary Hakone Ekiden! The Track & Field Team's 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, and all eyes were on the athletes from Komazawa University in their deep-green uniforms. Carrying the sting of second place in last year’s Hakone Ekiden, they came out firing in the spring speed events, posting top-tier times right off the bat. From the stands, you could hear the cheers: “Go Komazawa, you’ve got this!” They’re easily one of the teams that best represents the “now” of university athletics in Japan.

But hold on a second. The secret to their strength isn’t just about training volume or recruiting networks. Having followed university sports for the past decade, I’ve come to appreciate the unique depth of character that Komazawa possesses. For instance, this year’s squad includes several runners from Komazawa University Tomakomai High School. These athletes, hardened by Hokkaido’s harsh winters and forged in the dormitory life, have absorbed the “Komazawa spirit” long before they even set foot on campus. That rock-solid connection with its affiliated school is what fuels an incredibly deep talent pool.

What really caught my attention in the post-race interview zone was that the athletes all said, “The classes at the Faculty of Global Media Studies really helped.” Sounds surprising, right? Track and media studies? But 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 world of social media, an athlete’s mental management and ability to communicate are inseparable. Standing there on the sidelines, I could really feel that Komazawa’s runners can calmly articulate their race strategies in post-race comments precisely because of this environment.

And you can’t talk about campus life without mentioning the Komazawa University Library. Many student athletes use their breaks between training sessions to study here or dig through the latest sports science papers. With a collection of around 800,000 volumes – from precious Buddhist classics to cutting-edge sports biomechanics – it’s like a “gym for the mind.” One long-distance runner joked, “On nervous nights before a race, I find the library’s silence and read like I’m meditating.” A calm mind boosts performance – a perfect example of that in action.

But underpinning it all are the teachings of the Komazawa University Faculty of Buddhism: “Gyōgaku ichinyo” – action and learning are one. That’s also become a motto for the track and field team. The discipline of facing yourself when the race gets tough, the mindset of seeing adversity as training. Honestly, ten years ago I never would have imagined that traditional Buddhist philosophy could fit modern sports so well.

In 2026, Komazawa University has truly entered a stage where they are “more than just strong.” Their next big goals are, of course, the Mount Fuji Women’s Ekiden in December, followed by a total victory in the Hakone Ekiden after New Year’s. See for yourself the balance of knowledge and spirit that fuels their running.

• Upcoming Key Races to Watch (Spring 2026)
  • April 19: Record Meet (also serving as Izumo qualifier) – 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
  • Seamless coaching from its Tomakomai affiliated high school means athletes learn university tactics from their high school days.
  • The “Student Media Team,” born from the Faculty of Global Media Studies, provides real-time behind-the-scenes coverage of matches.
  • The library’s “Sports Buddhism Corner” holds workshops where you can learn meditation and stretching side by side.

One last word from a local. After practice, you often see Komazawa players grabbing takoyaki at the nearby shopping arcade. Despite their tough-guy image, they’re polite and well-loved by the arcade’s aunties. That down-to-earth strength, I reckon, is the team’s real charm. Keep your eyes on them this season.