by One of the Japan new year famous events are Hakone Ekiden, which is marathon relay race by universities’ marathon club.
Most Japanese people are going to see this race and cheering those runners. Or, they keep watching the TV.
1. What is Hakone Ekiden?
In the previous year, some preliminary races were held and the top 10 teams can proceed to the main race, Hakone Ekiden held on 02 – 03 Januray.
Hakone Ekiden is always held every year 02 – 03 January.
In addition to the top 10 teams from the preliminary race. 10 more teams will join the main Ekiden race depending on the results of previous year’s main Ekiden race.
If the team came into the top 10 ranking in the main race, the team can join the next year’s main race without preliminary race.
Total 20 teams plus one team which is composed by host, total 21 teams compete in the race.
Hakone Ekiden is one of the famous Shogatsu (the beginning of new year season, approximately 01-03 January) events in Japan.
A lot of Japanese people are watching the race on TV or go to the race route to watch directly the runners and cheer them up.
The Hakone Ekiden starts from Tokyo Yomiuri Newspaper company to Lake Ashi (Ashinoko), 107.5km by 5 runners on 02 January.
Following the day, on 03 January, other 5 runners are running back from Lake Ashi to Tokyo Yomiuri Newspaper company 109.6km, total 217.1km.
One team is composed of 10 runners.
2. History of the Hakone Ekiden
The origin why this marathon race has started is from Stockholm Olympic games in 1912. At the Olympic game, it was the first time for Japanese to participate in full marathon.
However, the Japanese marathon runner fell down at 26.7km point and couldn’t complete his run. From the experience, he wanted to train Japanese runners so that they can compete in the world race then this Ekiden race was started. At that time, there were not so many runners who could run even 20 km.
3. Exciting marathon race by university students!
It is so exciting event for Japanese people, If you visit Japan in new year’s season, head to Tokyo or Hakone and don’t miss it!
If you see the news from the link below (Yahoo Japan news), you can imagine more how the Hakone Ekiden is.
03 January Yahoo News from https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/eeb16d9b62f9cf763964d9bb1d490ed7d9bcbe25/images/000
