On October 3rd, the annual Chofu Tokyo Rokutai FES relay race started with a true show of strength, as 128 teams took off from the starting line. In the middle of this stampede were the combined forces of ASIJs’ Girls and Boys Cross Country teams, who would gallop on in a six-hour-long relay race, showing raw strength and determination. Together, these Mustangs would bring home an overall podium finish of third place in the mixed gender division, which was an impressive  demonstration of our Mustangs’ stamina.

The Tokyo Rokutai FES is an annual event held at Ajinomoto Stadium, bringing together the greater Chofu community in a variety of relay races. The values of these races are centered around teamwork and dedication, as the name, Rokutai, translates roughly to a “six-unit” concept. This race prioritizes teamwork by encouraging teams to gather together many participants, in order to help make the race fun and eventful.  

Teams create an order in which they will run, and then one of the runners on the team starts the race with a sash. This runner proceeds to run a 1 km lap in and around the stadium, and once they near the end of this loop, they pass the sash to the next runner, who then runs the same lap. The goal of this race is to run as many laps as possible within the six-hour time frame, building teamwork and perseverance.

The Tokyo Rokutai race celebrates the Chofu community as well, as many residents of Chofu sign up and come to the race to watch or participate. Featured at this event, famous Japanese runners share insights into their careers and races, allowing the community to interact with and meet these figures. Key athletes at this year’s event included Nozomi Tanaka, who holds a national record; Rin Kubo, the first Japanese woman to break the two-minute barrier in the 800 m event; Hayato Katsuki, a race walker who won a bronze medal at the 2025 World Athletics Championships; and many more.

The ASIJ combined team capitalized not only on the race itself but also on these festivities and values. The team showed Mustang spirit by persevering and running a total of 101 laps, covering 101 km. This placed the team in third place, which was a huge accomplishment.

 In a positive environment, both teams supported and cheered each other on, helping the six-hour race go by in a snap. The team also displayed their inner determination by striving to compete better on each lap, as every lap run 

was not simply part of the race but a vital piece of practice to prepare the teams for the upcoming Kanto Finals and Far East Competitions.

As the ASIJ team prepares over the next two weeks to tackle the upcoming championships, they will bring this same determination and grit to each practice, individually striving to do better. Physically, these Mustangs will be tired, but from this exhaustion, a new inner steel will be forged, preparing them to take on anything that stands in their way.

“Tokyo Rokutai FES 2026.” Anjinomoto Stadium, https://tokyo-rokutai-fes.jp/. 3 Oct. 2026.