Hakone Ekiden -- The Return Leg

What Is the Hakone Ekiden Return Leg?

January 3rd is the day the return leg of the "Tokyo-Hakone Round-Trip College Ekiden," commonly known as the "Hakone Ekiden," is run, from Lake Ashi in Hakone, Kanagawa, back to Otemachi in Tokyo.

A 217.1-Kilometer Battle Across 10 Stages

Combined with the outbound leg run the previous day, January 2nd, the Hakone Ekiden covers a total of 10 stages spanning 217.1 kilometers, making it the largest long-distance relay race in Japanese collegiate sports.

• The course: the return leg starts at Lake Ashi and passes through relay points at Odawara, Hiratsuka, Totsuka, and Tsurumi across stages 6 through 10, finishing at Otemachi
• Start time: the return leg begins at 8:00 a.m. on January 3rd
• Its history: first held in 1920, the current format -- outbound leg on January 2nd, return leg on January 3rd -- became fixed starting with the 31st race in 1955

Another Highlight: The Battle for a "Seed" Spot

Beyond the race for first place, the return leg also features an intense battle for "seed" spots -- automatic qualification for next year's race without having to compete in the qualifying round. Dramatic comebacks by teams that fell behind on the outbound leg are part of what makes the Hakone Ekiden so compelling.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Watch the TV broadcast to see how the return leg unfolds after the outbound leg's results
• Head to the roadside and cheer on the runners in person
• Learn about the Hakone Ekiden's history and past legendary races
• Pay attention to the drama of the sash (tasuki) being passed between teammates

The Sash's Legacy, Carried All the Way to Otemachi

Waiting at the finish line of the return leg is the sash passed down from the outbound leg, along with a year's worth of effort behind it. Let January 3rd be a chance to send some heartfelt New Year cheers to the runners making their way toward Otemachi.