As the new year approaches, many people are looking forward to gathering with their families to eat special New Year's dishes. Some also will be tuning in to watch the Hakone Ekiden, the two-day long-distance collegiate relay race held from Jan. 2.
The 218-km race starts in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward and ends the first day in the mountains near Ashinoko Lake in Kanagawa Prefecture. The runners on the second day return to the starting point.
The race involves 20 Kanto region universities, each fielding a 10-man team. Five runners compete on the first day and five the next, each wearing their school sash.