Begin Japanology

Ekiden is a long-distance relay race. Instead of a baton, a sash is handed off. This sash is the secret to ekiden's widespread appeal in Japan; it is a symbol of perseverance and selfless duty. Ekiden's inventor was Japan's first Olympian. He ran the marathon but passed out before reaching the finish line. This defeat drove him to create an event that could produce world-class Japanese runners. There are various ekiden events, and the most grueling is the Mt. Fuji Ekiden. Teams of six run from the foot of Mt. Fuji to the summit and back down again - in four hours! There are also high school ekiden championships. Forty years ago, one team was on the verge of being disbanded, until an inspiring coach took over and turned them into national champions. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at ekiden - a unique Japanese athletic event that reveals what makes the Japanese tick.