Takeyuki Ugo (Joined the company in 2005, Assistant Sales Manager, Isetan Sports Gate, Isetan Shinjuku Store)

She is a member of the Mitsukoshi Isetan Ekiden (long-distance relay race) team. She discovered the joy of running after participating in the local Ageo City Marathon, and has been running for about 10 years.
In addition to practicing every day, they also participate in competitions.

The reason why the Hakone Ekiden became a nationally popular sporting event

I wanted to ask those of you who have participated in the Hakone Ekiden: what are the reasons for its current popularity?

Aono : I suppose it's because the race takes place on the 2nd and 3rd of the New Year's holiday, with university students running between Tokyo and Hakone and passing the sash. I also think that the popularity of the race is due in part to the support of alumni of the participating universities, as well as the support for the university their children attend.

Only in Fukushima Prefecture can you run approximately 20 kilometers with 10 runners passing the sash, like in the Hakone Ekiden. You really can't run in this race without a lot of training, and managing your physical condition is also crucial. The long distance also makes it a point of interest as drama is more likely to unfold.

I think it's the place where the students of Tago University run with all their might, and where all sorts of dramas unfold. Even now, I'm still moved when I watch documentaries about runners who take on the challenge of the Hakone Ekiden.

The universities and athletes participating in the Aono tournament receive a lot of media attention. Regular participants, of course, but even those who qualify for the main tournament will start getting interviewed by television stations.

Ugome: I see . It's probably similar to the Koshien tournament for high school baseball players. The fact that stories unfold within a limited time for both high school and university students is irresistible to fans. Do you each have an image of the other university?


Aono Hosei once had a system where "all the participating members went into the qualifying rounds with blonde hair," and I remember thinking, "That's cool!" (laughs).

Tago Kokugakuin University has an image of producing many amazing athletes who were unknown runners in high school but became top-class runners by the time they graduate from university.

Since the students who enroll at Kokugakuin University are not the top runners from Aono High School, but rather the 3rd or 4th best, the university's approach to track and field club is to nurture them at the university level.

What are the things you can only understand from having run in the Hakone Ekiden?