The Izumo All-Japan University Ekiden opens the men's long-distance season on October 13 on a 45.1-km six-leg course from Izumo Grand Shrine to Izumo Dome. Twenty-two teams will race, with a 1:05 p.m. start. The legs run 8.0, 5.8, 8.5, 6.2, 6.4 and 10.2 km, the longest leg at 10.2 km, making it the shortest of the three major university ekidens and likely a fast, Kantō-heavy contest. Pre-race data show Chuo University leading both the 5,000 m (13:29.98) and 10,000 m (28:04.45) averages, followed by Aoyama Gakuin in 5k (13:35.25) and Kokugakuin in 10k (28:22.39) with Soka University next (28:26.52). The entry list released on October 10 confirms Chuo University’s speed-focused roster, including a former Hakone Ekiden standout on the 1st leg last year and a top ace slated for the 4th leg as it aims to push deep into the race.