Constant matsu middle school pursues repeat title with strong team spirit
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Students at Constant Matsu Junior High School in Nagareyama, Japan, are preparing to compete in the 78th annual Higashikatsushika Municipal Middle School Ekiden, a local relay race.
The school won the race for the first time last year, a victory that boosted student confidence and brought community support. This year, the special ekiden club has grown to around 50 members, though most of last year’s winning team have graduated.
The team currently features 15 dedicated long-distance runners and students from other clubs like baseball, soccer, and basketball. Coach Hiroki Okada emphasizes the team's limited experience, with only one returning runner from last year’s race. Training focuses on building stamina and speed through group runs and interval training, developed with input from the veteran runners. Team captain Junshi Kimura, who ran the second leg last year, aims for a top-three finish and another championship.
Other runners, like Ren Yamashita and Mitsu Ike, express a desire to inspire younger teammates and contribute to the team’s success, while also pursuing their own athletic goals. Coach Okada hopes the students will gain valuable experience through the race, even if they don’t repeat as champions.
