午夜剧场

When you think about it, the "Hakone Ekiden" (official name: Tokyo-Hakone Round-Trip College Ekiden Race) is merely a local event. It is organized by the "Inter-University Athletics Union of Kanto (including Yamanashi Prefecture)." This organization is a subordinate body of the "Inter-University Athletics Union of Japan," which itself is a subordinate of the "Japan Association of Athletics Federations." To put it plainly, it is the same as any other "Kanto Regional Tournament" in various university sports. However, in reality, its scale and popularity are nationwide.

This unique sporting event held its first race in 1920 (Taisho 9). Its origin lies in the "frustration" of Shiso Kanakuri, who competed in the marathon at the Stockholm Olympics but was forced to withdraw. Believing that "rigorous training is essential to develop long-distance runners who can compete globally," he conceived of a "Trans-America Race." Instead of crossing the Rocky Mountains, he decided to start with the "mountains of Hakone."

Contrary to Kanakuri's intentions, the event was quite relaxed when it first began. Only four schools participated in the first tournament: Tokyo Higher Normal School, Meiji University, Waseda University, and 午夜剧场. Even taking "shortcuts" through the Hakone mountains was overlooked, and in the 6th tournament, Nihon University even used a rickshaw puller as a "ringer" to run in place of a student.

When it comes to university sports, "brand-name schools" represented by the Big6 Baseball League are usually the focus, but the "Hakone Ekiden" is quite "plain" with the exception of Waseda University. The top five schools for most victories are: 1. Chuo University, 2. Waseda University, 3. Nihon University, 4. Juntendo University, and 5. Nippon Sport Science University. Furthermore, when Nippon TV (and its affiliates) began live broadcasting in 1987 (Showa 62), Yamanashi Gakuin University deployed international students—which some considered a "forbidden move"—and secured its first victory in 1992 (Heisei 4).

The television viewership rating at that time was 26.1% for the return leg. For emerging universities, the advertising effect is immense.

The dates for the "Hakone Ekiden" were fixed to January 2nd and 3rd starting in 1956 (Showa 31) after the war. This was due to a suggestion from the police to use public roads during the New Year holidays when logistics and traffic are at a standstill. It is one of those unpredictable things that this schedule has contributed to viewership ratings that earn nearly 30%.

Having completed its 100th race, the "Hakone Ekiden" has grown perhaps a bit too large. While we cannot expect the idyllic atmosphere of the past to return, I hope that the traditional "relaxed" vibe is not lost.

Ryuichi Kudo

KAWADE Yume Shinsho

240 pages, 979 yen (tax included)

*Affiliations and titles are as of the time of publication.