On January 3, 2026, at the Otemachi finish line of the 102nd Hakone Ekiden, the king made his return.
In the recently concluded, most-watched road relay event in Japan, Aoyama Gakuin University (hereafter "Aoyama Gakuin") not only completed an overall three-peat, but also set a stunning new meet record, once again affirming its dominance in collegiate long-distance running.
Yet, in this gleaming moment of triumph, as the cameras drew closer, people discovered a touching secret hidden on this champion team. On the athletes' sweat-drenched arms, on their taut calf muscles, and even on custom wristbands, the same mysterious symbol was imprinted—"★7".
This is more than a mark — it's a name, a promise, and a bond that transcends life and death.
For Aoyama Gakuin University, this year's Hakone Ekiden wasn't just about the ten runners on the course; there was an 11th "invisible" runner running alongside them. He was their teammate who sadly passed away from blood cancer last February —Minawatari Sena。
Rewind to the previous two editions of the Hakone Ekiden: at that time Minato Seishichi was still a 21‑year‑old reserve for Aoyama Gakuin University, his ability enough to make the fiercely competitive 16‑man registered roster. But fate dealt him a cruel blow in November 2024, when he was diagnosed with malignant lymphoma.
Despite the onslaught of the disease, Minato's heart remained with the team. In early 2025, when Aoyama Gakuin successfully defended their title to claim back‑to‑back championships, he watched his teammates' triumphs from his sickbed. Just a month and a half later, on February 19, the young runner passed away, never getting to step onto the Hakone stage that might have been his.
To honor the teammate who once ran alongside them, at this 102nd edition of the event the Aoyama Gakuin team decided to run carrying his spirit.
The name "Xingqi" combines "xing" (star) and "qi" (seven), so "★7" became the team's spiritual totem.
On the first day of the competition (Jan 2), the atmosphere at the Otemachi start line was heavy. Entrusted with Aoyama Gakuin University's crucial opening leg (1st leg),小河原阳琉made a meaningful gesture before the starting gun. Photographers caught him gazing affectionately at the "★7" symbol written on his right arm with a permanent marker.
At that moment, the noisy streets seemed to stand still. 小河原阳琉 was not merely steadying his breath — he was holding a silent conversation with a teammate in heaven: "Watch us — we're about to begin."
With that heavy burden of expectation upon him, he surged out of the start, firing the opening shot for Aoyama Gakuin University's title defense.
The most moving moment of the entire outbound leg (the first day's race) happened in Zone 4.
Third-year runnerKyosuke Hiramatsustood on the Hakone course. For Hiramatsu, this race held extraordinary meaning. In the Hakone Ekiden the year before last, he and Seishichi Minato shared a similar fate — both, regrettably, were unable to start on race day.
After that race, Hiramatsu, the junior, and Minato, his senior a year ahead, swore a "man's oath": “Next year, we will definitely run on this stage together.”
He has passed away, but the vow remains.
To keep that promise, Kyosuke Hiramatsu, when running the fourth leg, deliberately painted the “★7” emblem prominently on theleft shoulder. This was not only to remind himself, but also so the million spectators along the route could witness the presence of “★7.”
In the race, Kyosuke Hiramatsu showed incredible fighting spirit. When he took the baton, Aoyama Gakuin University was only in 8th place and the situation looked bleak. But he charged ahead, and with the third-fastest split in his section, he single-handedly pushed the team up to 5th place, laying a solid foundation for the later comeback.
After the race, the young runner wore a bright smile and said something that moved countless people to tears: "(Senior Minato) smiled beside me and ran the entire course with me."
Aoyama Gakuin University’s three-peat and meet record were made possible by the breakout performances of every runner.
As the captain and a fourth-year student,Asahi Kuroda played a pivotal role in the outbound leg, hailed by the media as "the mastermind behind the great comeback." Under his leadership, the Aoyama Gakuin University runners — whether writing "★7" on their skin, wearing wristbands printed with seven stars, or expressing it through gestures and body language — turned their remembrance of a lost teammate into a constant source of strength beneath their feet.
This kind of mental strength is immense. It lets athletes grit their teeth and push on when they hit the wall, and refuse to give ground when rivals close in. In the end, they not only won the title, but with a new meet record—the most weighty of achievements—offered the most perfect tribute to the late 皆渡星七.
The finish line of the Hakone Ekiden is not the end of the story.
To ensure the passion 皆渡星七 poured into athletics is passed on forever, the OB (alumni) of Aoyama Gakuin University's Track and Field Club have already begun to take action.
According to reports, around the first anniversary of 皆渡星七's death —February 21, 2026, a special marathon is planned in his hometownOsaka Prefecture. The event will be organized by alumni of Aoyama Gakuin University, aimed at honoring a teammate who never truly left, allowing him to continue running on his hometown soil in another way.
In the world of competitive sport, we tend to focus more on cold numbers: pace, split times, the medal table. But Aoyama Gakuin University at the 102nd Hakone Ekiden reminded us with a "★7" symbol:Running is sometimes for those who can no longer run.
When Kohara watched the arm start, when Hiramatsu pointed to his shoulder as he sprinted, and when the whole team broke the record to take the title, it had already transcended the win-or-lose of a single race. It is the living's promise to the dead, the warmest and most resilient part of the sporting spirit.
Congratulations to Aoyama Gakuin University on achieving a three-peat. May 皆渡星七 continue to run freely on the track in heaven.
Text：Lightning / Editor：xx
Image：Online＆Trail Running Big Bang / Visual：Five-Year Trainee
