On September 13, Okayama University's track and field club won the "56th All-Japan University Ekiden Championship Chugoku-Shikoku Regional Qualifying Race" held at Hiroshima General Ground (Hiroshima City), securing a spot in the All-Japan University Ekiden. This achievement marks the first time in Okayama University's history to participate in this event. With their participation already confirmed for the Izumo Ekiden, the club is now set to compete in two of the three major university ekidens, excluding the Hakone Ekiden.

In the Chugoku-Shikoku Regional Qualifying Race, each school entered 8 to 13 athletes, and the university with the fastest cumulative time from the top eight runners in the 10,000m time trial earned the right to compete in the All-Japan University Ekiden. Eight schools participated, including Okayama University, International Pacific University, Hiroshima University of Economics, Hiroshima University, Ehime University, Kochi University, Shiseikan University, and Hiroshima Shudo University. Okayama University's track and field club finished first, outpacing International Pacific University by over eight minutes. At the closing ceremony, members of the club celebrated with smiles and tears, lifting long-distance captain FUKUNAGA Shinnosuke (third-year, School of Education) in jubilation.

The thirteen athletes who competed in this qualifying race were not exclusively long-distance specialists. Therefore, during summer training camps held at Dogo Mountain (Hiroshima Prefecture) and Sugadaira Highlands (Nagano Prefecture), training sessions were organized to prepare middle-distance runners for the 10,000m event. By the end of the camp, they were able to run 20km. Notably, the high-altitude training at Sugadaira Highlands, made possible through support from alumni associations and crowdfunding, significantly contributed to their success.

The excitement within the team is palpable, with Mr. Fukunaga expressing, "I believed we could win, but I felt anxious thinking about what would happen if we didn't. I thought this was the only chance to secure our first appearance, especially since strong seniors might graduate next year." In contrast, Mr. ISHINABE Souichi (fourth-year, Dental School) remarked, "I hadn't told anyone, but I absolutely believed we would go to the All-Japan University Ekiden! Everyone around me was hyped, but I just thought, 'Of course!'" This indicates a strong confidence in the team's capabilities.

The All-Japan University Ekiden, taking place in Mie Prefecture, will start with the gun going off at 8:10 AM on November 3, with 27 teams racing towards Ise Jingu. Let’s witness the moment Okayama University’s tasuki (sash) reaches Ise Jingu for the first time together!