The 2024 Ivy Select Team for the Izumo Ekiden on October 14, 2024 has been set. We are thrilled to introduce you to the eight outstanding athletes who will represent their schools.
Kieran Tuntivate - Harvard
Perry Mackinnon - Cornell
Robert Miranda - Yale
Ka'eo Kruse - Harvard
Will Battershill - Harvard
Tyler Berg - Columbia
Acer Iverson - Harvard
Matthew Pereira - Harvard
Each athlete brings a unique background, experiences, and perspectives to the team. Let’s get to know them better!
Kieran Tuntivate – Harvard (2020)
Kieran Tuntivate graduated from Harvard in 2020 with a degree in Economics. Kieran currently competes as a member of the Bowerman Track Club and spends much of the year training in Eugene, Oregon. Kieran was a member of the 2023 Ivy Ekiden team, but an unfortunately timed injury kept him from participating in the race. After experiencing the Izumo Ekiden as a spectator, Kieran is eager to get out and compete against the fierce Japanese runners.
Kieran grew up in Delaware, though also lived in Thailand and has represented the nation on the international stage. Kieran's running career has taken him across the globe, competing in much of Asia and Europe. His introduction to Japanese running culture began at Bowerman, where he trained alongside Japanese athletes. This exposure and his first-hand experience of the 2023 Izumo Ekiden, has shaped his understanding of the discipline, dedication, and competitive spirit of the Japanese.
Kieran is most excited about the opportunity to immerse himself again in Japanese culture while forming lasting bonds with his Ivy Ekiden teammates. He loves the inter-Ivy aspect of Ekiden trip and looks forward to experiencing the nuances of Japanese running tradition alongside his fellow Ivy graduates.
Proudest Heps/Collegiate Highlight: Harvard men placing 2nd as a team at 2019 XC Heps.
Perry Mackinnon – Cornell (2023)
Perry Mackinnon, a 2023 graduate from Cornell, hails from a rural dairy farm in Quebec, Canada. Perry is no stranger to international travel, having visited or competed in Mexico, Kenya, Finland, and Australia, to name a few.
Though he hasn’t traveled to Japan, Perry envisions a culture marked by its respectfulness and a deep appreciation for traditions. He’s particularly interested in experiencing the local running culture, which he likens to the fervor of football in many Western countries. Perry hopes to contribute to the team’s success while also soaking in the unique culture and camaraderie that the Ekiden offers.
Perry’s enthusiasm extends beyond running; he has a passion for coffee and has quite the at-home coffee set-up to prove it. He embraces the intricate details of both running and coffee-making, emphasizing a meticulous approach in everything he does. As he looks ahead to the Ekiden, Perry is excited to travel with fellow Ivy League runners and experience a foreign culture with individuals he competed against throughout his collegiate career.
Proudest Heps/Collegiate Highlight: 2023 outdoor Heps duking it out against Harvard’s Graham Blanks and Acer Iverson in the 10k.
Robert Miranda – Yale (2022)
Robert Miranda, a Yale graduate from the class of 2022, currently resides in Los Angeles, where he is working towards earning his PhD in mathematics at UCLA. After Yale, Robert rediscovered his competitive spirit in marathon running, successfully debuting at CIM last fall. His experiences in road racing have prepared him well for the Ekiden, where he is ready to embrace the challenges of any leg of the relay.
Having transitioned to primarily competing in road races, Robert enjoys the strategic aspects of longer distance running. He aims to help his Ivy League team improve upon last year’s performance and secure a podium finish. As he prepares for the Ekiden, he is excited about the opportunity to compete on an international stage against many of Japan’s most talented distance runners.
Outside of the race itself, Robert is eager to explore Japanese cuisine and culture during the trip. Though he is bummed he’ll have to leave his two dogs Pascal and Pico behind in LA, Robert is excited to make the trip to Japan and share the experience with fellow Ivy League alumni.
Proudest Heps/Collegiate Highlight: Third place XC Heps finish in 2019 as a sophomore.
Ka'eo Kruse – Harvard (2020)
Ka'eo Kruse, a Harvard alumnus from 2020, is now a full-time professional triathlete based in Boulder, Colorado, where he ranks 6th in the U.S. and within the top 150 globally. Hailing from Kauai, Hawaii, Ka'eo has a deep connection to his roots and is passionate about educating others on Hawaiian culture. His triathlon career has taken him all over the world, including Japan, where he completed a triathlon in Miyazaki in southern Japan.
Though he has already visited and competed in Japan, Ka’eo is excited to explore the country further and deepen his understanding of its running culture. He is keen to take on a shorter, faster leg that suits his background as a middle-distance runner.
In addition to running, Ka'eo enjoys woodworking, surfing, and geeking out on biosciences. He loves spending time in nature, and has an appreciation for how the Japanese have elegantly blended urbanism and nature.
Proudest Heps/Collegiate Highlight: Though much of his Harvard career was mired by injury, he was proud to be part of the team, program, and culture that transitioned from being a typical 7-8th place finish at Heps to a consistent podium threat and national contender.
Will Battershill – Harvard (2020)
Will Battershill, a Harvard graduate from 2020, currently resides in Darby, UK, where he competes with an individual professional contract with Hoka. Originally from southwestern England, Will grew up running in the hills around his rural village. Since then,Will had a successful Harvard career and has competed multiple times on the international stage, including at the 2022 Birmingham Diamond League Meeting.
Having experienced Japan on the 2023 Ekiden trip, Will is eager to return and immerse himself in the culture again. He is particularly excited to be returning in better fitness and with a better understanding of Japanese tactics of running hard from the gun. His main goal is to be far more competitive in his leg and finish in the top three as a team.
Will is also excited to again be competing with fellow Harvard teammates and reconnect with other Ivy League runners. Beyond athletics, Will is an avid drummer and enjoys music.
Proudest Heps/Collegiate Highlight: Going 1-2 with Kieran at 2020 indoor Heps in the 3k.
Tyler Berg – Columbia (2023)
Tyler Berg, a recent Columbia graduate from the class of 2023, majored in Computer Science and is thrilled to be selected for the 2024 Ivy League Ekiden team. Tyler’s passions lie with the longer distances, particularly the 10k. He views the Ekiden as a once-in-a-lifetime experience and is eager to engage with the culture of Japan.
Tyler looks forward to building connections and competing with his Ekiden teammates. In anticipation of the trip, Tyler watched YouTube videos of Japanese runners crushing tough workouts and competing in other Ekiden races. He looks forward to competing against the Japanese and is excited to match their intensity on the course.
Tyler is also a huge fan of anime and looks forward to exploring that part of Japanese culture more deeply while on the trip. One fun fact about Tyler is that he has two tattoos with references to his favorite anime shows Hunter x Hunter and Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Proudest Heps/Collegiate Highlight: 2022 Indoor Heps at the Armory where he finished fourth in 5k.
Acer Iverson – Harvard (2024)
Acer Iverson, also from Harvard, studied Computer Science while excelling in cross country and track with the Crimson. Acer currently lives in Seattle, Washington and is finishing out his NCAA eligibility with the UW Huskies.
The 2024 Ekiden will be Acer’s first trip to Japan and second time competing internationally after last year’s Harvard-Yale Oxford-Cambridge trip. Having heard a lot about the intensity of Japanese runners, Acer is looking forward to experiencing the excitement of the Izumo Ekiden and Japanese running culture firsthand. Acer also looks forward to the cultural exchange and meeting the best Japanese collegiate runners.
Outside of running, Acer loves reading Russian literature, enjoys exploring cities, and riding public transit. He looks forward to exploring Tokyo and its rail system on the backend of the trip.
Proudest Heps/Collegiate Highlight: 2022 Indoor Heps going 1-2 in the 3k and 5k with Harvard teammate Matthew Pereira.
Matthew Pereira - Harvard (2021)
Matthew Pereira is a 2021 graduate from Harvard and a software engineer now living and training in New York City. Matthew is also an Ivy Ekiden returner, having run the 8.5-kilometer third stage in 2023. Matthew’s goal for this year’s Ekiden is to compete more effectively against the runners in his stage and hand off the tasuki in a lower position than he received it.
Matthew looks forward to joining his fellow Harvard teammates and additional Ivy League members as they work to achieve a podium finish at the 2024 Izumo Ekiden. Matthew’s training this fall has included longer road-specific efforts to prepare for a hard solo effort. Though he ran the third stage last year, Matthew is open to competing on any leg to best help the team reach that podium.
Beyond the race, Matthew values the friendships he has built throughout his athletic career and in the Ivy League and sees this year’s Ekiden as another opportunity to reconnect with and meet new teammates.
Proudest Heps/Collegiate Highlight: 2021 cross country NCAAs finishing All-American as individual and Harvard finishing 12th as a team.
Ganbatte!
As these eight athletes embark on their journey to Japan, their unique backgrounds, experiences, and shared passion for running promise an unforgettable adventure. With their sights set on a podium finish in the Ekiden, they are ready to embrace the cultural richness and competitive spirit that awaits them. Stay tuned for updates as they embark on this journey together!
