青山学院大学が箱根駅伝の優勝報告「さらなる飛躍を10度目の総合優勝を」合宿地で市民と交流【新潟･妙高市】スーパーJにいがた5月4日OA

During Golden Week, the strongest university ekiden (long-distance relay race) teams are holding training camps in the prefecture. The athletes and coach of Aoyama Gakuin University, who achieved their third consecutive victory in this year's Hakone Ekiden, held a victory celebration in Myoko City and interacted with local children. Aoyama Gakuin University's track and field team is a powerhouse, consistently winning the three major university ekiden races. Promising athletes from all over the country gather there to receive guidance from their renowned coach, Susumu Hara. Due to their annual training camp in Myoko City, they held a victory celebration for the Hakone Ekiden on the 4th. Approximately 250 citizens gathered to celebrate their third consecutive victory and ninth overall win, achieved with a new course record. ■Kaito Nakamura, Captain, 4th year, Aoyama Gakuin University Track and Field Team "I believe one of the reasons we can remain a strong Aoyama Gakuin team is the environment in Myoko where we can continue to train intensely. We definitely want to achieve a 'four-peat' (in the Hakone Ekiden)." This is the 23rd year of their training camp in Myoko City. The course, with its moderate ups and downs similar to the Hakone Ekiden, is said to be ideal for training camps. ■Aoyama Gakuin University Track and Field Club Head Coach, Susumu Hara "Our athletes have grown up in Myoko City, a place rich in delicious rice, meat, and vegetables. We want to strive for further progress and aim for our 10th overall championship." Approximately 100 elementary and junior high school students participated in a running clinic held after the debriefing session. They learned about proper body movements during warm-ups. When asked in the Q&A session what they think about before a nerve-wracking race: ■ Kenta Torii, 4th year student, Aoyama Gakuin University Track and Field Club: "Enjoying it is the most important thing, so I often approach races in a relaxed manner, seeing it as an opportunity to showcase the abilities I've practiced." ■ Elementary school student: "It was fun. I learned some good stretches." ■ Elementary school student: "I was happy (to get an autograph). I want to do (stretching) before competitions." ■ Susumu Hara, Coach, Aoyama Gakuin University Track and Field Club: "I want to make the Hakone Ekiden an even more brilliant competition. We will do our best again this year as representatives of Niigata Prefecture, so please support us." The Aoyama Gakuin athletes will stay in Myoko City until Wednesday, May 6th. Information as of May 4th, 2026. #MyokoCity #AoyamaGakuinUniversity #TrackAndField #Ekiden #Niigata #UXNiigataTV21