Largest crowd supports New Years Ekiden
Japan's sporting event that is most celebrated during
the New Year holidays is the Hakone Ekiden.
10 runners each from 15 collegiate teams relay their cotton belts
in a total distance of 214. 5 kilometers during Jan. 2 and 3.
The race starts in Ohtemachi, the business district of Tokyo,
leading to Hakone, a popular hotspring resort and back.
The 2 day race in 1998, the 74th run, attracted at least 1 million crowd on the roads.
Kanagawa University clocked 11 hours 1 minute 43 seconds to win the
ekiden for the 2nd straight year.
