TOKYO – Aoyama Gakuin University extended its lead from the previous day’s outbound stage to win the Tokyo-Hakone collegiate ekiden road relay for the third straight year on Saturday.
The team from the central Tokyo university outran its rivals over the 109.6-kilometer return stage, from the mountainous hot spring resort of Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture to the capital’s Otemachi district, to claim its ninth title and become the first school to complete a “three-peat” twice.
Kokugakuin University moved up in the standings to place second and Juntendo University finished third.
This year marked the 102nd edition of the historic race which was first held in 1920.
Chuo University holds the record for wins, with 14, and appearances, with 99.
AloJapan.com