During the blur that is New Years in Japan, you’ll likely find yourself seated before a TV, and that TV will likely display a bunch of college students running in the Kanto cold. That would be the Hakone Ekiden (“ekiden” = relay race; trust the Japanese to turn everything into a team sport).
This is the premier running event of the year, with a few score of universities competing on outbound and return courses of about 108 kilometers split into five legs corresponding to roughly 20KM each; the outbound and return legs are conducted on separate days, usually 1/2 and 1/3. It has been held since 1920. There is a big hill. And sometimes snow.
Anyway, this year, six Kyushugakuin high school graduates will take part, representing their respective newfound universities. The high school is known nationally for its running program. So when you’re ensconced under the kotatsu munching on mikan with your in-laws watching on TV a bunch of people running and you randomly point out and say, “Ah! Kyushugakuin!,” you have a decent chance of being correct. - William
